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House Bill 971 |
House Author: King, Tracy |
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Effective: Vetoed |
Senate Sponsor: Uresti |
House Bill 971 amends provisions of the Parks and Wildlife Code prohibiting a person from hunting an antlerless deer or antelope in this state without first acquiring an antlerless deer or antelope permit issued by the Parks and Wildlife Department. The bill authorizes a member of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas who possesses certain documentation of membership and who holds a general hunting license to hunt antlerless white-tailed deer for religious ceremonial purposes on any day of the year between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset if certain requirements are met.
Reason Given for Veto: "House Bill No. 971 would require the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to issue a year-round license exclusively to members of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas for hunting antlerless white-tailed deer. This would circumvent TPWD authority to regulate hunting and wildlife management in the State of Texas."