LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session April 4, 1995 TO: Honorable Edmund Kuempel, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 1926 Committee on State Recreational By: Rangel Resources House of Representatives Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No. 1926 (Relating to creating the Kleberg County Public Lands and Water Sanctuary; providing a penalty.) this office has determined the following: The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill would amend Chapter 82 of the Parks and Wildlife Code by designating all of the state-owned land and public water in Kleberg County as game sanctuary. It would prohibit the possession, hunting, or killing of an animal or bird in the sanctuary, but would make exceptions for certain local, state, and federal officials, for persons holding a valid permit authorizing the taking of certain species for scientific purposes, and for persons hunting waterfowl during waterfowl season. The bill would make it a Class C Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor to possess, hunt, or kill an animal or bird in the sanctuary. Coastal public land, which may currently be leased for activities such as mineral exploration and development, would be considered part of the sanctuary and not exempted from the prohibition against the killing of an animal or bird. Other sections of Chapter 82 make specific references to fish when they are intended to include fish. For the purpose of this fiscal note, it is assumed that the prohibition against the killing of animals in the sanctuary would not include a prohibition against the killing of fish. If the definition of animal were determined to include fish, the bill could have an impact on mineral exploration and development in Kleberg County. Oil and gas exploration and development could still occur, but companies might have to use new technologies rather than explosives. No significant fiscal implication to the State or units of local government is anticipated. Source: General Land Office and Veterans' Land Board, Parks and Wildlife Department LBB Staff: JK, PVT, DF