By: Kuempel (Senate Sponsor - Estes) H.B. No. 308
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 10, 2007;
  April 11, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Natural Resources; May 16, 2007, reported favorably by the
  following vote:  Yeas 10, Nays 0; May 16, 2007, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the use of laser sighting devices by hunters who are
  legally blind.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 62.005, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 62.005.  HUNTING WITH LIGHT.  Except as provided by
  Section 62.0055, no [No] person may hunt a game animal or bird
  protected by this code with the aid of an artificial light that
  casts or reflects a beam of light onto or otherwise illuminates the
  game animal or bird, including the headlights of a motor vehicle.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 62, Parks and Wildlife
  Code, is amended by adding Section 62.0055 to read as follows:
         Sec. 62.0055.  HUNTING WITH LASER SIGHTING DEVICE BY LEGALLY
  BLIND HUNTER. (a)  In this section, "legally blind" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 62.104, Government Code.
         (b)  A legally blind hunter may use a laser sighting device
  during regular hunting hours when assisted by a person who:
               (1)  is not legally blind;
               (2)  has a hunting license;  and
               (3)  is at least 13 years of age.
         (c)  The legally blind hunter must carry proof of being
  legally blind.
         (d)  Section 62.014 applies to a hunter under this section.
         SECTION 3.  (a)  Not later than September 1, 2007, the Parks
  and Wildlife Commission shall adopt rules that prescribe what is
  acceptable as proof of being legally blind under Section 62.0055,
  Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by this Act.
         (b)  The Parks and Wildlife Department may not enforce
  Section 62.0055(c), Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by this Act,
  until the rules adopted under Subsection (a) of this section take
  effect.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
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