Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 599	Senate Author:  Perry
Effective:  9-1-21	House Sponsor:  Krause

            Senate Bill 599 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to establish that an abandoned fishing device is litter under the Texas Litter Abatement Act and is subject to immediate removal and disposal. The bill provides for the authority of the Parks and Wildlife Commission to govern the removal and disposal of the devices, grants immunity from liability and from suit to a game warden or other peace officer for that removal or disposal, and provides for the transfer of a removed device to certain institutions of higher education for use in teaching or research programs related to marine science and oceanography. The bill repeals a provision requiring notice, a court hearing, and destruction when no person is charged in connection with the seizure of an unlawful fishing device.