BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 1956 By: Grusendorf April 5, 1995 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND During its 1994 review of state agency reports mandated by the Legislature, the House Committee on Agriculture and Wildlife Management learned that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is required to prepare and file a burdensome quantity of reports for the legislative and executive branches of state government. The Committee found that TPWD employees invest many hours in completing required reports that often contain information that is not utilized. The Committee recommended the elimination of the following TPWD reports containing accessible, unnecessary or duplicate information: Saltwater Finfish Research Report. This report was initiated when the Legislature was more directly involved in the management of the state's coastal finfish resources. Condition of the Fish and Oyster Industry Report. These records are currently maintained on a continuous basis. Regulatory authority over all fisheries has been transferred from the Legislature to TPWD since 1975 when this report was mandated. Texas Recreation and Parks Account Report. The department's account is already reviewed during the appropriation process and current fund balances can be obtained from the Comptroller of Public Accounts. Status of the Texas Trail System Report. This report is actually a compilation of trail related activities. The information generates little legislative interest and is available upon request. Shrimp Research Program/Mandatory Shrimp Harvest Reports. These reports were necessary prior to 1985 when the Legislature managed the state's shrimp resources. Although the Shrimp Advisory Committee and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission may use such findings, the Legislature and Governor do not. PURPOSE H.B. 1956 would abolish the following Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reports: the Saltwater Finfish Research Report, Condition of the Fish and Oyster Industry Report, Texas Recreation and Parks Account Report, Status of the Texas Trail System Report and the Shrimp Research Program/Mandatory Shrimp Harvest Reports. 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 Chapter 66.217, Parks and Wildlife Code, by deleting subsections (d) and (e) and all references to reports that occur in subsections (b) and (c). This will require TPWD to keep findings of its ongoing finfish research, but does not require the department to compile its findings into a report, or file such a report with the governor and legislature. SECTION 2: Repeals Sections 12.002, 24.010, 28.005, and 77.006, Parks and Wildlife Code. Results in the elimination of the following mandatory reports: Section 12.002. Condition of the Fish and Oyster Industry Report (annual). Section 24.010. Texas Recreation and Parks Account Report (annual). Section 28.005. Status of the Texas Trail System Report (biennial). Section 77.006. Shrimp Research Program/Mandatory Shrimp Harvest Reports (biennial). SECTION 3: Emergency clause, effective upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION H.B. 1956 was considered by the Committee on State Recreational Resources in a public hearing on April 5, 1995. The following persons testified neutrally on the bill: Hal Osburn representing Texas Parks and Wildlife; and Jim Riggs representing Texas Parks and Wildlife. The following person testified against the bill: Jim Sagnes representing Texas Shrimp Association. The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 0 absent.