BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1080
82R21093 SGA-F	By: Gallego (Hinojosa)
	Agriculture & Rural Affairs
	5/10/2011
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law provides that all in and out-of-state Texas hunters complete a hunter education program and course that is administered or offered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or the Parks and Wildlife Commission.  Active duty military personnel and honorably discharged veterans are among the most efficient and safe handlers of weapons because of their extensive military training.  H.B. 1080 exempts those individuals from the live firing portion of a hunter education course required by state law.

H.B. 1080 amends current law relating to an exemption for active duty personnel and certain veterans from the requirement to complete the live firing portion of a hunter education program.

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 Section 62.014, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding Subsection (n), as follows:

(n) Exempts the following persons from any requirement to complete the live firing portion of a hunter education course under this section:

(1) an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces; or

(2) a person who is on active duty as a member of the United States military forces, the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, or the Texas State Guard.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2011.