SRC-MWN H.B. 1915 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1915
By: Capelo (Lucio)
Natural Resources
5/11/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

In many communities, there are caring neighbors and volunteers who are
willing to offer their time and effort to help those with mental handicaps.
For example, some mentally retarded individuals may enjoy outdoor
recreations such as fishing but may not be able to obtain a fishing license
for whatever reason. The ability for a neighbor or volunteer who has a
fishing license to take these individuals fishing would be beneficial for
both parties involved. H.B. 1915 exempts certain persons with mental
retardation from the recreational fishing license requirement.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

H.B. 1915 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to exempt certain persons from
the requirement to acquire a fishing license. The bill establishes that a
fishing license is not required of mentally retarded individuals who are
engaged in recreational fishing under the immediate supervision of a person
who: holds a license; and has the permission of the mentally retarded
person's family head or legal guardian to take the mentally retarded person
fishing if the person is not a member of the family of the mentally
retarded person. The bill also provides that a mentally retarded person who
is engaged in recreational fishing must carry a note from a doctor stating
that the person has been diagnosed as mentally retarded.  

Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.