BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 670 State Recreational Resources Committee March 15, 1995 Committee Report (Unamended) 03-03-95 Introduced BACKGROUND In prior years, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department permitted the performance of game bird field trials, retriever trials, and other competitive hunting events on wildlife management areas. The events were scheduled on areas where the activity was considered appropriate, and at a time when the activity did not conflict with other public use or departmental operations. In response to a liability conflict the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issued a 1988 moratorium on the use of public lands for competitive hunting dog events, namely coon hunts and field trials. The liability conflict was in fact an incident involving the destruction of a participant's hunting dog by a neighboring landowner, who subsequently was ordered to pay restitution. PURPOSE This bill will allow competitive hunting dog events on areas controlled by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and designated by the commission as a public hunting area. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 62, Parks and Wildlife Code by adding Section 62.016. Sec. 62.016. COMPETITIVE HUNTING DOG EVENTS. Provides that the department may permit a person to hold or participate in a competitive hunting dog event, including a field trial, in an area controlled by the department and designated by the department as a public hunting area. The participant is prohibited from using firearms or from taking wildlife in the event. The event also does not keep a person from hunting during a designated hunting season. SECTION 2. Emergency clause, effective upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION H.B. 670 was considered by the Committee on State Recreational Resources in a public hearing on March 15, 1995. The following persons testified in favor of the bill: Lee Caldwell, representing Texas State Coon Hunters Association Michael Staggs, representing the Texas State Coon Hunters Association; and Eddie Fewder, representing the Texas State Coon Hunters Association. The following person testified against the bill: Ellis Gilleland, representing himself. The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 1 absent.