By Solis                                              H.B. No. 2615
         77R1047 MXM-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the timing of public hearings by the Parks and Wildlife
 1-3     Department that affect commercial fishing activities.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 61, Parks and Wildlife
 1-6     Code, is amended by adding Section 61.105 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 61.105.  TIMING OF PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT AFFECT
 1-8     COMMERCIAL FISHING.  (a)  In this section, "commercial fishing
 1-9     activity" means an activity for which a license is required under
1-10     Chapter 47, 76, 77, or 78.
1-11           (b)  The  commission may not hold a public hearing on a
1-12     matter that affects a commercial fishing activity during the period
1-13     in which that activity is most active.
1-14           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-15     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-16     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-17     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-18     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.