78(R) HB 324 - Introduced version


                                                                                

78R2420 KCR-D

By:  Berman                                                       H.B. No. 324



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the application of fishing and hunting license 
requirements to a person at least 70 years of age.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 42.012(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The commission may set a lower fee or waive the fee or 
license requirement for a resident who is under 17 years old, who is
65 years old or older, or who is participating in an event that is 
sponsored or co-sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife 
Department with the approval of the executive director. The 
commission shall waive the fee for a qualified disabled veteran and 
for a resident who is at least 70 years of age.
	SECTION 2.  Section 42.014, Parks and Wildlife Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 42.014.  NONRESIDENT SPECIAL HUNTING LICENSE FEE.  The 
fee for a nonresident special hunting license is $37.75 or an amount 
set by the commission, whichever amount is more.  The commission 
shall waive the fee for a nonresident who is at least 70 years of age 
and whose state of residence grants a similar age waiver to Texas 
residents.
	SECTION 3.  Section 42.0141, Parks and Wildlife Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 42.0141.  GENERAL NONRESIDENT HUNTING LICENSE 
FEE.  The fee for a general nonresident hunting license is $100.75 
or an amount set by the commission, whichever amount is more.  The 
commission shall waive the fee for a nonresident who is at least 70 
years of age and whose state of residence grants a similar age 
waiver to Texas residents.
	SECTION 4.  Section 42.0142(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The fee for a nonresident banded bird hunting license is 
an amount set by the commission.  The commission shall waive the fee 
for a nonresident who is at least 70 years of age and whose state of 
residence grants a similar age waiver to Texas residents.
	SECTION 5.  Section 42.0143, Parks and Wildlife Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 42.0143.  NONRESIDENT FIVE-DAY SPECIAL HUNTING 
LICENSE.  A nonresident five-day special hunting license is valid 
for five consecutive days.  The fee for the license is set by the 
commission in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the amount of 
the fee set for a nonresident special hunting license.  The 
commission shall waive the fee for a nonresident who is at least 70 
years of age and whose state of residence grants a similar age 
waiver to Texas residents.
	SECTION 6.  Section 42.0144, Parks and Wildlife Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 42.0144.  NONRESIDENT SPRING TURKEY HUNTING LICENSE 
FEE.  The fee for a nonresident spring turkey hunting license is 
$75 or an amount set by the commission, whichever amount is more.  
The commission shall waive the fee for a nonresident who is at least 
70 years of age and whose state of residence grants a similar age 
waiver to Texas residents.
	SECTION 7.  Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended 
by adding Subchapter A to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS
	Sec. 43.001.  EXEMPTIONS.  A stamp required under this 
chapter does not apply to:
		(1)  a resident as defined by Section 42.001 who is at 
least 70 years of age; or
		(2)  a nonresident as defined by Section 42.001 who is 
at least 70 years of age and whose state of residence grants a 
similar age exemption to Texas residents.
	SECTION 8.  Section 46.002(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A license issued under this chapter is not required of a 
person:        
		(1)  who is a resident and who is at least 70 years of 
age [and whose birth date is before September 1, 1930];
		(2)  who is a nonresident and who is at least 70 years 
of age[, if the person's birth date is before September 1, 1930,] 
and whose [the person's] state of residence grants a similar age 
exemption to Texas residents;
		(3)  who is mentally disabled and who is engaging in 
recreational fishing as part of medically approved therapy, and who 
is fishing under the immediate supervision of personnel approved or 
employed by a hospital, residence, or school for mentally disabled 
persons;
		(4)  who is mentally retarded and is engaged in 
recreational fishing under the immediate supervision of a person 
who:
			(A)  holds a license issued under this chapter; 
and                        
			(B)  has the permission of the mentally retarded 
person's family head or legal guardian to take the mentally 
retarded person fishing if the person is not a member of the family 
of the mentally retarded person; or
		(5)  who is participating in an event that is sponsored 
or co-sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with the 
approval of the Executive Director.
	SECTION 9.  Section 50.002(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The fee for the combination license is $12 or an amount 
set by the commission, whichever amount is more.  The commission 
shall waive the fee for a resident who is at least 70 years of age.
	SECTION 10.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.