By: King of Zavala (Senate Sponsor - Uresti) H.B. No. 3808

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 6, 2011; May 9, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs; May 17, 2011, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 4, Nays 0; May 17, 2011, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to fishing with certain archery equipment in certain counties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 284.001, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:

(a) In this section:

(1) "Archery equipment" means a longbow, recurved bow, compound bow, or crossbow.

(2) "Firearm" has the meaning assigned by Section 62.014.

(3) [(2)] "Navigable river or stream" has the meaning assigned by Section 90.001.

(d) This section does not apply to:

(1) an individual acting in the scope of the individual's duties as a peace officer or department employee; [or]

(2) the discharge of a shotgun loaded with ammunition that releases only shot when discharged; or

(3) an individual engaging in fishing using archery equipment, if the individual is in compliance with Subsection (f).

(f) An individual engaging in fishing using archery equipment may not possess while fishing:

(1) an arrow equipped with fletching of any kind;

(2) an unbarbed arrow; or

(3) a bow that is not equipped with a reel and line.

SECTION 2. 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, 2011.

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