LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 11, 2005

TO:	Honorable Harvey Hilderbran, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation, & Tourism
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3024 by Cook, Byron (Relating to sale of culled fish from private waters.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Agriculture Code relating to non-licensed fish farm operators so that such farmers do not need a fish farming license to sell fish from their farms so long as: (1) the fish are not on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TWPD) list of harmful or potentially harmful exotic fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants; (2) the fish are sold by the owner of the fish farm impoundment; (3) the farm is on private property; (4) the fish were collected in an effort to manage the fish population in the impoundment; and, (5) fish are sold to a person holding a valid fish farmer's license.  Although  the bill creates guidelines to determine requirements for fish farming licenses, the bill, if passed, is not anticipated to have a significant impact on agency workload.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

802 Parks and Wildlife Department

LBB Staff:

JOB, WK, ZS, TB