HBA-BSM H.B. 3337 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3337
By: Telford
State Recreational Resources
4/2/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, many species of freshwater sport fish are forced to compete with
rough fish for territory, which disrupts the important spawning season of
the more desirable sport species.  Net fishing on freshwater lakes has been
shown to be an effective method of controlling the rough fish populations
in these lakes.  By creating a narrow, strictly controlled net fishing
season on landlocked lakes, the state may dramatically reduce the rough
fish population, thus enhancing the sport fishing industry in Texas.  House
Bill 3337 requires the Parks and Wildlife Commission to create a net
fishing season on freshwater lakes in the month of June. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Parks and Wildlife Commission in
SECTION 1 (Section 66.1025) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3337 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to require the Parks and
Wildlife Commission (commission) to provide for a net fishing season for
the taking of rough fish from public freshwater lakes in the month of June
each year.  The bill requires the commission to identify by proclamation
the specific species included in the category of rough fish, the lakes in
which fishing for rough fish is allowed, and publish and make available to
the public a list of those species and where they can be caught.   

H.B. 3337 requires the commission by rule to establish the types of nets
that may be used during the net fishing season.  The bill also prohibits
commercial net fishing in public freshwater lakes. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.