BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 263

By: Flynn

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the fee associated with a combination resident hunting and fishing license is waived for a resident who is on active duty as a member of the Texas military. Interested parties in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department contend that there is a need to clarify the eligibility requirements for such a fee waiver. H.B. 263 seeks to provide such clarification.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the adjutant general in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 263 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to require the Parks and Wildlife Commission to waive the fee for a combination resident hunting and fishing license for a qualified disabled veteran or a resident who holds a valid military identification card and is on active duty in the U.S. military or is actively participating in the state military under the rules established by the adjutant general of the state military forces. The bill establishes that for the purposes of this requirement a valid military identification card issued by one of the state military forces is sufficient to establish Texas residency. The bill's provisions do not apply to a person who is retired from the military or the dependent of military personnel unless the person otherwise qualifies for the fee waiver.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.