BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 2182
By: Woolley
March 23, 1995
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Current statutes provide that the funds deposited in the Operation
Game Thief Fund may be used for the maintenance of that fund. 
Current statutes further provide that the director shall appoint an
Operation Game Thief Committee, composed of nine members who shall
serve terms of six years to administer the benefit payments. 
Statutes provide that the committee shall meet at least two times
each calendar year at the department's office in Austin and that at
least five committee members must be present for approval of
disbursement of funds from the Operation Game Thief Fund.


PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2182 amends Section 12.101, Parks and Wildlife
Code, by adding language which expands the use of funds on deposit
in the Operation Game Thief Fund to include maintenance of the
fund, promotion of the Operation Game Thief Program through
advertisement and marketing, and payment of rewards and death
benefits as authorized by Chapter 12, Subchapter C.

This bill further amends Chapter 12, Parks and Wildlife Code, by
authorizing the director to appoint a previous member as chairman
emeritus of the committee for a six-year term, with the same rights
and duties as a committee member.  The term of the chairman
emeritus shall expire on the date of the sixth anniversary after
the day of appointment.

In an effort to ease the commitment of the volunteer committee
members, this bill authorizes the committee to meet at least one
time each calendar year at the department's Austin office, or at a
location designated by the chairman of the committee.  Four
committee members must be present to approve disbursements from the
fund.  This bill further provides a tie breaking mechanism for
utilization during voting by the committee on issues involving
disbursement of funds.


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 Section 12.201, Parks and Wildlife Code.

     Sec. 12.201.  CREATION OF FUND.  Authorizes the use of funds
from the Operation  Game Thief Fund for the maintenance of the
fund, promotion of the program through  advertisement and
marketing, payment of rewards, and payment of death benefits to the
     families of agency peace officers killed in the line of duty.

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 12.202, Parks and Wildlife Code.

     Sec. 12.202.  OPERATION GAME THIEF COMMITTEE.  (a) Authorizes
the director   to appoint a former committee member to serve as
chairman emeritus of the committee      for a period of six years,
with the same rights and duties as a committee member. 

     (b) Requires that the term of the chairman emeritus shall
expire on the sixth anniversary    after the day the chairman
emeritus is appointed.

     (c) Provides that the committee shall meet at least one time
each calendar year, with at   least four committee members present,
at the department's office in Austin or at a location  designated
by the chairman of the committee.  Provides a guideline to follow
in the event   of a tie vote 

     (d) Provides a mechanism for breaking a tie vote.

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 1995.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 2182 was considered by the Committee on State Recreational
Resources in a public hearing on March 22, 1995.

The following person testified neutrally on the bill:
     Jack King representing Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The following person testified in favor of the bill:
     The Honorable Gib Lewis representing himself.

The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of
7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 2 absent.