BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1786
81R17909 SGA-F By: Kuempel (Harris)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Deer management permits (DMP) and trap, transport, and transplant permits (TTT) are landowner tools for deer management, propagation, and hunting. These practices result in enhanced hunting activities, contribute more than $2 billion annually to the Texas economy, and support more than 18,000 jobs, according to Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Todd Staples. In 2007, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) increased fees for TTT permits from $180 for an individual permit for multiple release sites to $750 per release site. Fees for DMPs were increased from $600 to $1,000. At the time, there were 63 TTTs and 110 DMPs issued.
Although the fee change was posted according to legal requirements, many participants affected by the fee increase felt that there was insufficient notification. The fee increase deters participation in the program and interferes with the participants' ability to grow or continue in business.
H.B. 1786 requires TPWD to provide written notice to a person who holds a permit issued by TPWD under this chapter at least 90 days before the date on which the amount of the fee for that type of permit is proposed to increase if the amount is at least two times the current fee amount.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding Subchapter A, as follows:
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
[Reserves Section 43.001.]
Sec. 43.002. NOTICE OF PROPOSED PERMIT FEE INCREASE. Requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to provide written notice to a person who holds an unexpired permit or held a permit in the preceding year issued by TPWD under Subchapter E (Permits for Trapping, Transporting, and Transplanting Game Animals and Game Birds), L (Deer Breeder's Permit), or R (Deer Management Permits) at least 90 days before the date on which the amount of the fee for that type of permit is proposed to increase. Provides that notice under this section is required only if the proposed permit fee amount is at least two times the amount of the fee in effect for a permit of that type.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009.