SRC-TAG S.C.R. 56 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.C.R. 56
By: Armbrister
Natural Resources
5/21/2003
As Filed


DIGEST

The Texas Legislature and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
have traditionally recognized the private landowner as the primary steward
of our state's natural resources and have provided increased flexibility
for wildlife management on private lands.   In order to preserve wildlife
habitat or "wild land" use, the private landowner must receive economic
benefit and continued flexibility in managing natural resources.  These
private properties require strict control of deer herd numbers and
demographics as a means to protect the resource from depletion and waste
while allowing the landowner to achieve management goals.  Furthermore,
TPWD has appointed the White-tailed Deer Advisory Committee to review
current deer regulations and statutes and make recommendations to the
department on appropriate actions. 

PURPOSE

S.C.R. 56 submits the following resolutions:

That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas direct the White-tailed
Deer Advisory Committee to address how habitat relates to the ecological
diversity of the state and to study the role of the wildlife biologist in
the development of management plans and in the utilization of suitable
management practices, including population goals and control, yearly
census data, supplemental feeding and food plots, and genetic management. 
 
That the 78th Legislature direct the White-tailed Deer Advisory Committee
to study current deer management permits to determine how to provide
flexibility and economic incentives for private landowners in preserving
wildlife habitat. 
 
That the 78th Legislature direct the White-tailed Deer Advisory Committee
to meet with the members or staff of the Senate Committee on Natural
Resources, the members or staff of the House Committee on State Cultural
and Recreational Resources, and the staff of the Parks and Wildlife
Department on a quarterly basis and to report findings from each meeting
to the chairman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, the chairman
of the House Committee on State Cultural and Recreational Resources, and
the chairman of the Parks and Wildlife Commission. 
 
That the secretary of state forward an official copy of this resolution to
the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the
chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, the chairman of the
House State Cultural and Recreational Resources Committee, and the
executive director of the Parks and Wildlife Department.