AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

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.  S.B. 239 amends and clarifies Section 46.004 (License Fees), Parks and Wildlife Code, by changing the qualification document from the term "active," which is not easy to understand or prove at the point of sale, to the valid military identification card allowing residents who hold a valid military identification card to continue to have the fee waived when applying for a fishing/hunting license.

 

There is a residency requirement for United States military already in statute and service members must provide proof of residency to receive this free license.  S.B. 239 provides that a valid military identification card issued by the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, or the Texas State Guard is sufficient to establish residency in the state of Texas, thus easing the documentary requirements and costs associated with validation.

 

As proposed, S.B. 239 amends current law relating to combination resident hunting and fishing licenses for military personnel.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the adjutant general of the state military forces in SECTION 1 (Section 50.001, Parks and Wildlife Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 50.001, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding Subsection (c-1), as follows:

 

(c-1) Requires the Parks and Wildlife Commission to waive the fee for a combination resident hunting and fishing license for a qualified disabled veteran as defined by Section 42.012 (Resident License Fee) or a resident who holds a valid military identification card and is on active duty in the United States military forces or is actively participating in the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, or the Texas State Guard under the rules established by the adjutant general of the state military forces.  Provides that, for the purposes of this section, a valid military identification card issued by the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, or the Texas State Guard is sufficient to establish residency in this state.  Provides that this subsection does not apply to a person who is retired from the military or the dependent of military personnel unless the person otherwise qualifies as provided by this subsection.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.