Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 2542 amends and repeals numerous provisions of the Parks and Wildlife Code to remove statutes that require burdensome regulations. The act increases maximum fines, provides additional rulemaking authority to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and revises and codifies current regulatory procedures.

            The act also modifies and streamlines procedures and requirements for scientific breeders of white-tail and mule deer. The act authorizes the Parks and Wildlife Commission to establish regulations regarding the recapture of white-tail or mule deer that have escaped from a scientific breeder's facility. It authorizes the department to inspect any records maintained by a scientific breeder at any time without a warrant, prohibits the release into the wild of white-tail or mule deer unless all visible markings have been removed, exempts scientific breeders from the antler removal requirement when the deer is being shipped or sold to another scientific breeder, and clarifies the notification process.

            House Bill 2542 adds a new subchapter to the Parks and Wildlife Code to authorize the department to issue a permit for the management of wild white-tail deer on acreage enclosed by a fence capable of retaining and preventing entry of white-tail deer. The act stipulates that the deer managed under this permit remain the property of the people of the state.

            In addition, the act establishes a commercial crab license management program. The act directs the commission to determine the need for a commercial crab license and authorizes them to establish a limited entry license program. The act restricts the number of licenses that may be held, sets fees and the license renewal period, provides for the suspension and revocation of licenses, and establishes a license buyback program and a Crab License Management Review Board.

            Finally, the act requires the department to submit a report to the legislature, not later than October 1, 1997, describing the actions taken and the actions the department plans to take during the 1998-1999 biennium to address the deficiencies in the maintenance, operational support, and promotion of historic structures, sites, and parks under the department's jurisdiction.