S.B. No. 179
                                        AN ACT
    1-1  relating to hunting in state parks.
    1-2        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-3        SECTION 1.  Section 13.001, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
    1-4  amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (e) to
    1-5  read as follows:
    1-6        (b)  The commission shall establish a classification system
    1-7  for state parks and wildlife management areas that categorizes
    1-8  wildlife management areas, parks, or a portion of parks as game
    1-9  management areas, recreational areas, natural areas, or historical
   1-10  areas.
   1-11        (e)  The commission shall have the exclusive authority to
   1-12  determine sound biological management practices for all lands under
   1-13  its control.
   1-14        SECTION 2.  Section 62.062, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
   1-15  amended to read as follows:
   1-16        Sec. 62.062.  Season.  (a)  As sound biological management
   1-17  practices warrant and until August 31, 1995, the commission may
   1-18  prescribe an open season for hunting in state parks, forts, or
   1-19  sites where size, location, and other physical conditions permit
   1-20  hunting.
   1-21        (b)  After August 31, 1995, as sound biological practices
   1-22  warrant, and after it has established a classification system for
   1-23  parks in accordance with Section 13.001(b) of this code, the
   1-24  commission may prescribe an open season for recreational hunting in
    2-1  state parks, forts, or sites where size, location, physical
    2-2  conditions, safety, and other uses permit hunting.
    2-3        SECTION 3.  Section 81.402, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
    2-4  amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (e) to
    2-5  read as follows:
    2-6        (b)  The department from time to time, as sound biological
    2-7  management permits, and until August 31, 1995, may allow open
    2-8  seasons for hunting and fishing.
    2-9        (e)  After August 31, 1995, and as sound biological
   2-10  management permits, the commission may only prescribe an open
   2-11  season for hunting after it has established a classification system
   2-12  for such areas in accordance with Section 13.001(b) of this code.
   2-13        SECTION 4.  Subsection (a), Section 81.403, Parks and
   2-14  Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows:
   2-15        (a)  Except as provided in Subsection (b) of this section,
   2-16  permits for hunting of wildlife or for any other use on game
   2-17  management areas shall be issued by the department to applicants by
   2-18  means of a fair method of distribution subject to limitations on
   2-19  the maximum number of permits to be issued.
   2-20        SECTION 5.  The importance of this legislation and the
   2-21  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   2-22  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
   2-23  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   2-24  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
   2-25  and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
   2-26  passage, and it is so enacted.