By Turner of Coleman H.B. No. 827
75R4754 MI-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to hunting and fishing licenses for certain disabled
1-3 veterans and certain military personnel.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 42, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended
1-6 by adding Section 42.009 to read as follows:
1-7 Sec. 42.009. EXCEPTION: CERTAIN ARMED SERVICES MEMBERS.
1-8 (a) A nonresident who is a member of the armed services qualifies
1-9 for a resident hunting license if the member is on active duty for
1-10 more than 30 days at a federal facility or installation in this
1-11 state. A person who acquires a resident hunting license under the
1-12 qualification authorized by this section is not subject to Section
1-13 42.005.
1-14 (b) Adequate proof of length of duty assignment may be
1-15 required from each license applicant, and the validity of the
1-16 license is contingent on the applicant's proof, either by
1-17 certification on the license or by use of a separate form issued by
1-18 the department.
1-19 SECTION 2. Section 42.012(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
1-20 amended to read as follows:
1-21 (b) The commission may set a lower fee or waive the fee or
1-22 license requirement for a resident who is under 17 years old, 65
1-23 years old or older, or participating in an event that is sponsored
1-24 or co-sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with the
2-1 approval of the executive director[, or a qualified disabled
2-2 veteran]. The commission shall waive the fee for a qualified
2-3 disabled veteran.
2-4 SECTION 3. Section 46.004, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
2-5 amended by amending Subsection (b), adding a new Subsection (c),
2-6 and relettering existing Subsections (c)-(e) to read as follows:
2-7 (b) The commission may establish a lower fee or waive the
2-8 fee or license requirement for:
2-9 (1) a resident who has a general commercial
2-10 fisherman's license of this state;
2-11 (2) a resident who is blind as defined by Section
2-12 94.001, Human Resources Code;
2-13 (3) [a resident who is a qualified disabled veteran as
2-14 defined by Section 42.012(c) of this code;]
2-15 [(4)] a resident or nonresident who is under 17 years
2-16 old; or
2-17 (4) [(5)] a resident or nonresident who is 65 years
2-18 old or over.
2-19 (c) The commission shall waive the fee for a qualified
2-20 disabled veteran as defined by Section 42.012.
2-21 (d) The department may issue a lifetime resident fishing
2-22 license to residents of this state. The fee for this license is
2-23 $300 or an amount set by the commission, whichever amount is more.
2-24 (e) [(d)] The nonresident fishing license fee is $15 or an
2-25 amount set by the commission, whichever amount is more.
2-26 (f) [(e)] The commission may establish collection and
2-27 issuance fees for licenses and tags issued under this chapter.
3-1 SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
3-2 SECTION 5. The importance of this legislation and the
3-3 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-4 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-5 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-6 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.