BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 72 By: Patterson (Hunter, T.) February 27, 1995 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, a person who wishes to obtain the identity of the owner of a sea vessel or any boat registered with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is able to do so without stating the intent for requesting the information. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 72 limits the general public's access to vessel and boat records department in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 31B, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding Section 31.0391, as follows: Sec. 31.0391. RELEASE OF INFORMATION. (a) Prohibits the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (department) from releasing the name or address of a person recorded in the department vessel and outboard motor ownership records unless the department or county receives a written request that contains the requestor's name and address, and states that the use of the information is for a lawful purpose. (b) Provides that this section does not apply to a peace officer, or a state official or an official of a political subdivision of the state who requests the information for tax purposes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION Public notice was posted in accordance to the rules and a public hearing was held on February 22, 1995. The Chair laid out Senate Bill 72. Testifying on the bill was Howard Kidwell representing Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Representative Turner moved that the committee report Senate Bill 72 favorably to the full house with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed by a record vote of 8 Ayes, 1 Nay, 0 PNV, and 0 Absent.