79R4733 SGA-F

By:  Hilderbran                                                   H.B. No. 2032



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the expansion of the operation game thief program to 
include certain other violations of law.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 12.201, Parks and Wildlife Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 12.201.  CREATION OF FUND.  The department may accept 
and deposit in a special fund outside the state treasury, called the 
operation game thief fund, donations from any person made for 
purposes of this subchapter.  Funds deposited in the operation game 
thief fund may be used only for the maintenance of that fund, 
promotion of the operation game thief program through advertisement 
and marketing, the development, acquisition, and implementation of 
technological advancements to facilitate the apprehension and 
prosecution of persons who violate laws of this state intended to 
protect the state's natural or cultural resources or the public 
safety of persons using those natural or cultural resources, and 
payment of rewards and death benefits authorized by this 
subchapter.  The Operation Game Thief Committee shall adopt rules 
for the implementation of the operation game thief program and 
maintenance of the operation game thief fund.
	SECTION 2.  Section 12.203(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A person may apply to the committee for a reward to be 
paid from the operation game thief fund if the person [who] 
furnishes information leading to the arrest and conviction of a 
person for a [flagrant] violation of this code or any of the 
following laws or a regulation [or proclamation] adopted under this 
code or any of the following laws:
		(1)  Subchapter B, Chapter 365, Health and Safety Code;                
		(2)  Subchapter E, Chapter 191, Natural Resources Code;                
		(3)  Chapter 28 or Section 30.05, 31.03, 31.11, 37.10, 
49.06, 49.07, or 49.08, Penal Code;
		(4)  Chapter 160, Tax Code; or                                         
		(5)  Subchapter E, Chapter 7, or Subchapter D, Chapter 
26, Water Code [that applies to the taking, possession, or sale of 
an animal, bird, reptile, or fish may apply to the committee for a 
reward to be paid from the operation game thief fund].
	SECTION 3.  Section 12.203(d), Parks and Wildlife Code, is 
repealed.         
	SECTION 4.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this 
section, the conviction of a person, before the effective date of 
this Act, for a violation of a law included under Section 12.203(a), 
Parks and Wildlife Code, as amended by this Act, may not be the 
basis of a claim for reward made under Subchapter C, Chapter 12, 
Parks and Wildlife Code, as amended by this Act.
	(b)  The conviction of a person before the effective date of 
this Act for a flagrant violation of the Parks and Wildlife Code or 
a regulation or proclamation adopted under that code applicable to 
the taking, possession, or sale of an animal, bird, reptile, or fish 
may be the basis of a claim for reward made under Subchapter C, 
Chapter 12, Parks and Wildlife Code, as amended by this Act.
	SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.