C.S.H.B. 2351 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 2351 By: Kuempel State Cultural and Recreational Resources Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will enact a fee increase for registration of boats in Texas in the coming months. As TPWD has endured cuts in its budget to fund state parks as a result of the recent cuts made by the Texas Legislature, this bill will grant the authority to transfer a portion of the funds gained from boat registration fees to be applied toward the maintenance of the state park system. Currently 100 percent of boat registration fees are applied toward the Parks and Wildlife game, fish, and water safety account. Due to the increase in registration fees, this account will not suffer a loss of funds due to this act. CSHB 2351 directs 15 percent of fees collected for vessel registration, vessel manufacturer or dealer licensing fees, or outboard motor tilting fees to be applied toward the state parks account. 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 CSHB 2351 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to change the term "motorboat" to "vessel" and stipulates that vessel and outboard motor tilting fees will be applied to the game, fish, and water safety account. CSHB 2351 also directs 15 percent of fees collected to for vessel registration, vessel manufacturer or dealer licensing fees, or outboard motor tilting fees be applied to the state parks account. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003 COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The original bill provides that motorboat registration fees be divided upon collection and placed in separate accounts. In order to minimize the administrative burden placed on the department, the substitute will direct that 100 percent of the above mentioned funds be placed in the game, fish, and water safety account. No less than 10 days after the application of said funds, 15 percent shall be withdrawn and placed into the state parks fund.