PUC S.B. 991 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS STATE RECREATIONAL RESOURCES S.B. 991 By: Ellis (Naishtat) 5-7-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, a state parklands passport is available to Texans who are 65 years of age and over or disabled veterans. The passport gives its holder a discount or waiver on the entrance fee to Texas state parks. In 1990, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act gave all disabled citizens free access to federal parks. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 991 authorizes disabled individuals to apply for a state parklands passport and requires the Parks and Wildlife Commission to establish eligibility requirements and privileges for disabled individuals who have a state parklands passport. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Parks and Wildlife Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 13.018(e), Parks and Wildlife Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 13.018, Parks and Wildlife Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e), to authorize an individual who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the individual to apply to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for a state parklands passport. Requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, by rule, to establish eligibility requirements and privileges available to the holder of a state parklands passport described in Subsection (a)(3). Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Emergency clause.