Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB852 by Lucio III (Relating to the sale and purchase of shark fins or products derived from shark fins; creating an offense. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend portions of the Parks and Wildlife Code relating to the sale and purchase of shark fins or shark fin based products. Violation of the amended provisions would be a Class B Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor; unless it is shown at trial that the defendant has been convicted within five years of the same violation, in which case the violation would be a Class A Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor. Upon violation the game warden or peace officer will seize and hold the shark fins as evidence, then destroy the fins upon a final court ruling. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department indicates that any changes to department duties as a result of the bill’s passage could be absorbed within department resources. The bill would take effect July 1, 2014.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.