Proposed Texas Parks and Wildlife Dissolution Raises Questions for Public Employees
A new legislative proposal in Texas could significantly impact public employees and their pension benefits. House Bill 4938, filed by Rep. Pat Curry (R-Waco), aims to dissolve the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and redistribute its functions across three other state agencies.
This legislation proposes dividing the department's responsibilities among:
- The Texas General Land Office (GLO) would oversee state parks, historic sites, and public lands.
- The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) would handle wildlife conservation, hunting, and fishing programs.
- The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) would take over law enforcement duties, including game wardens and water safety enforcement.
For state employees and their retirement security, this restructuring raises critical concerns. The bill states that TPWD employees would be transferred to the appropriate agencies, but details on how this transition would affect their pensions, job classifications, and benefits remain unclear.
TPWD employees are currently part of the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS), with each employee contributing 9.5% of their salary into ERS upon employment. It is uncertain whether these employees will remain in ERS without changes to their contributions, future benefits, or retirement eligibility under the new agency structures.
When state agencies undergo restructuring, pension systems must adapt to workforce shifts, employer contribution realignments, and potential changes in payroll structures. If this bill advances, public pension trustees and administrators will need to evaluate its implications for retirement funding and workforce stability. Workforce retention and morale are also factors, as uncertainty around benefits can lead to increased turnover—potentially affecting pension fund sustainability.
What is the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department?
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department manages and conserves Texas' natural resources, including state parks, wildlife, fisheries, and outdoor recreational areas. Established to preserve the state's diverse ecosystems, TPWD oversees 89 state parks and historic sites, more than 1.4 million acres of public land, and numerous conservation programs that support Texas' rich biodiversity and outdoor heritage.
The department also regulates hunting, fishing, and boating activities, enforces game and wildlife laws through its game wardens, and provides education programs promoting conservation and responsible land stewardship. TPWD plays a key role in ensuring the sustainability of Texas' outdoor resources while balancing recreation, public access, and environmental conservation.
History of TPWD
The origins of TPWD trace back to 1895 when the Texas Legislature established the Fish and Oyster Commission to regulate commercial fishing. Over time, the state's natural resource management efforts expanded:
- 1907: The Game Department was created to regulate hunting.
- 1923: The two agencies merged into the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission to consolidate wildlife and fisheries management.
- 1940s-50s: The state developed its first state parks system, adding land conservation to its mission.
- 1963: The Texas Legislature officially merged the Game and Fish Commission with the State Parks Board, forming the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as it exists today.
- 1971: The Texas Legislature granted TPWD authority over environmental matters, including water and land conservation programs.
- 1991: TPWD established the Texas State Parks Pass, encouraging public engagement with the state's outdoor spaces.
Since its formation, the state's parks and wildlife department has continued to expand its responsibilities, working on initiatives such as wildlife habitat conservation, land acquisition for public use, fisheries management, and outdoor recreation funding. The agency has also significantly responded to environmental challenges such as droughts, invasive species, and urbanization impacts on natural areas.
Does HB 4938 Have Support?
House Bill 4938 has been filed but has not advanced beyond that stage. Currently, no public information indicates additional legislative support or co-sponsorship for the bill. Representative Curry has not publicly commented on the motivations behind this proposal.
TPWD has expressed pride in its role in managing Texas lands and waters, noting that its 89 state parks welcome more than 9 million visitors each year. The department also highlighted its recent evaluation by the Texas Sunset Commission in 2021, a standard review process for state agencies.
About the Author:Allen Jones is the director of communications and event marketing for TEXPERS. He joined the Association in 2017. Before TEXPERS, he worked in the news media industry, producing content for newspapers, magazines, and online publications and leading newsrooms as an editor and publications manager. [email protected]