S.B. 607 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 607
By: Janek
State Cultural and Recreational Resources
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

S.B. 1410, as passed by the 77th Legislature, allowed for a seven-day
grace period before a crab trap may be designated abandoned after the
crabbing season ends.  The crab advisory committee and other industry
members have asked that this time frame be removed and that the traps be
deemed litter on the first day of the closure.   

If the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department adopts the minimum number of
closure days, a twoweekend cleanup period for abandoned traps will still
exist.  As proposed, S.B. 607 eliminates the seven-day grace period, so
traps would immediately be designated as abandoned. 


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

S.B. 607 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to redefine "abandoned crab
trap."  

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.