| TO: | Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee On Culture, Recreation & Tourism |
| FROM: | Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB1241 by Guillen (Relating to the adoption of rules by the Parks and Wildlife Commission to protect the public water of this state from the spread of aquatic invasive species.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted |
The bill would amend the Parks and Wildlife code relating to protecting public waters from the spread of invasive aquatic species. The bill would provide that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt rules requiring a person leaving public water to drain their vessel or portable container on the vessel of any water collected from or that has come in contact with public water, excepting saltwater. The commission is to consider certain effects of the rules, as described.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) employees would be able to inspect vessels leaving or approaching public water, including any portable containers on the vessel, unless the vessel is on public water. TPWD indicates the duties and responsibilities associated with the implementation of the bill could be accomplished utilizing existing resources.
The bill would take immediate effect if the bill receives two-thirds the vote in both houses. Otherwise, the bill would take effect, September 1, 2013.
| Source Agencies: | 802 Parks and Wildlife Department
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| LBB Staff: | UP, KJo, TB
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