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.