SRC-SLL H.B. 1489 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1489
By: Turner, Bob (Wentworth)
Natural Resources
5-12-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Aoudad sheep are a non-indigenous species of sheep that in 1958 were
introduced into the Palo Duro Canyon by the Texas Game and Fish
Commission.  At that time, special statutory protections were enacted to
regulate hunting of aoudad sheep in the eight counties surrounding the
canyon.  Later, private landowners began to stock the sheep on their
ranches and the species is flourishing.  In all but the eight counties
mentioned above, aoudad sheep are considered to be exotic species and
hunting is dictated by management plans developed by private landowners.
A similar situation exists with regard to elk.  This bill will provide new
regulations regarding aoudad sheep and elk. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1489 provides new regulations regarding aoudad sheep and
elk. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 42.005(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, to delete a
provision prohibiting a nonresident in this state from hunting aoudad
sheep or elk in certain counties without first having acquired a general
nonresident hunting license. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 43.103(3), Parks and Wildlife Code, to redefine
"exotic animals" to include aoudad sheep and elk. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 44.006, Parks and Wildlife Code, to delete a
provision authorizing the holder of a valid game breeder's license to sell
or hold in captivity for the purpose of propagation or sale, elk in any
county in which elk is a game animal. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 61.056, Parks and Wildlife Code, as follows:

Sec.  61.056.  New heading: PROCLAMATIONS CONCERNING CERTAIN DEER AND
ANTELOPE.  Provides that a proclamation of the Parks and Wildlife
Commission authorizing the taking of antlerless deer or antelope in this
state is not effective for a specific tract of land unless the landowner
or the landowner's agent agrees in writing to the number of antlerless
deer or antelope permits authorized for the property.  Makes conforming
and nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 5. Amends Section 61.057, Parks and Wildlife Code, as follows:

Sec.  61.057.  New heading: ANTLERLESS DEER AND ANTELOPE.  Deletes a
reference to an antlerless deer or antelope permit distributed by the
Parks and Wildlife Department. Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 6. Amends Section 62.015(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 7. Amends Section 67.001(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, to make a
conforming change. 
 
SECTION 8. Repealer: Sections 63.001(c) and (d), Parks and Wildlife Code
(Regarding aoudad sheep and wild elk). 

SECTION 9. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.