LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                          Austin, Texas

                           FISCAL NOTE
                       74th Regular Session

                          April 4, 1995



 TO:     Honorable Edmund Kuempel, Chair        IN RE:  House Bill No. 1927
         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.
1927 (Relating to creating the Kenedy 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
Kenedy 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 Kenedy 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