C.S.H.B. 1414 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 1414
By: Christian
State Cultural and Recreational Resources
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, under Subchapter B, Chapter 66, of the Parks and Wildlife Code,
there is no definition or regulation regarding catfish and how they relate
to being caught on Toledo Bend Reservoir.  For many of the residents in
the area, commercial catfishing is a substantial income as well as way of
life. 

Toledo Bend Reservoir lies on both the Texas and Louisiana borders.
Current law does not allow a commercial fisherman to catch fish on the
Louisiana side of Toledo Bend and return through Texas waters to the Texas
side.  Therefore, this creates an inconvenience and added hassle to those
wishing to do this. 

The intent of House Bill 1414 is to allow for catfish caught on the
Louisiana side of Toledo Bend to be carried from the Louisiana side back
over to Texas. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 


ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1414 amends Subchapter B, Chapter 66, Parks and Wildlife Code, by
adding Section 66.120 CATFISH CAUGHT ON LOUISIANA SIDE OF TOLEDO BEND
RESERVOIR. 
This new section specifies how "commercial fisherman" is defined and
provides that limits on catfish caught in this state by commercial
fishermen does not apply to catfish caught on the Louisiana side of the
Toledo Bend Reservoir.  

C.S.H.B. 1414 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code by updating Section
66.121, relating to penalties imposed, to accurately portray the
applicable Section number. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of
all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article
III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary
for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003. 


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute version removes Subsection (c) of SECTION 1 of the original
bill.