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78S20025 SGA-F


By:  Swinford                                                     H.B. No. 5  



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the composition of the Parks and Wildlife Commission.             
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 11.012(d), Parks and Wildlife Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(d)  In making appointments under this section, the 
governor:         
		(1)  shall:                                                     
			(A)  attempt to include persons with expertise in 
diverse fields, including fields such as historic preservation, 
conservation, and outdoor recreation; and
			(B)  consider the commission's composition in 
terms of:             
				(i)  the geographical areas represented by 
members of the commission; and
				(ii)  the appropriate balance of 
representatives from rural and urban areas; and
		(2)  may include persons who have an interest in and 
knowledge of hunting, fishing, wildlife, environmental concerns, 
land or water use issues, or water quality issues.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  As soon as possible on or after December 1, 
2003, the governor shall appoint nine members to the Parks and 
Wildlife Commission under Section 11.012, Parks and Wildlife Code, 
as amended by this Act.  The governor shall designate:
		(1)  three members, including one public member, for 
terms expiring February 1, 2005;
		(2)  three members, including one public member, for 
terms expiring February 1, 2007; and
		(3)  three members, including one public member, for 
terms expiring February 1, 2009.
	(b)  The governor may reappoint a person who served as a 
member of the Parks and Wildlife Commission before December 1, 
2003.
	(c)  The position of a member of the Parks and Wildlife 
Commission serving immediately before December 1, 2003, is 
abolished at the time five or more of the newly appointed directors 
qualify for office.  Until the abolition of the members' positions 
occurs under this section, the members serving immediately before 
December 1, 2003, have the same powers and duties that the members 
had immediately before that date and the commission continues to be 
composed in the way it was composed before that date, and the former 
law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect December 1, 2003.