SRC-TJG S.B. 1344 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1344
78R6533 SGA-DBy: Jackson
Natural Resources
4/10/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

In 1995, the 74th Texas Legislature authorized a limited entry program for
commercial bay and bait shrimping licenses.  This state program was
designed to reduce commercial shrimping in Texas bays.  Since 1995, no new
commercial bay and bait shrimping licenses have been available.  The
limited entry program for the commercial bay and bait shrimp fisheries
provides financial incentive for commercial license holders who wish to
consider getting out of the business.  As proposed, S.B. 1344  allows the
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to increase the amount of money
available for the license buyback program if additional money is
available. This bill also allows TPWD to use donations, grants, or any
other money appropriated by the legislature for the program and urges TPWD
to actively solicit donations and apply for grants to accomplish the goals
of the buyback programs. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 12A, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding Section
12.009, as follows: 

Sec. 12.009.  FUNDING FOR LICENSE BUYBACK PROGRAMS.  (a) Requires the
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to increase the allocations of
the license buyback programs under Sections 47.081, 77.119, and 78.111 by
$2 million for the fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2003, if money
is available. 

(b) Authorizes TPWD to finance the increase in funding under Subsection
(a) by donations, grants, or any money appropriated by the legislature or
otherwise available for the programs.  Requires TPWD to actively solicit
donations and apply for any available grants to finance the increase. 

(c) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2005.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.