BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3481

By: Goldman

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that a number of years ago the legislature removed a fishing license exemption for certain older Texas residents and that now these residents must purchase a certain senior package to fish in the public waters of the state. The parties note that the exemption was ended in an effort to bolster funding, since, as the angling public gets older and lives longer, a higher percentage of anglers will be older and enjoying the state's resources without contributing to the maintenance and management of the resources. The parties note, however, that certain older residents of other states that possess a recreational fishing license issued by that state are able to fish in Texas public waters for free, which the parties contend is unfair to the older residents of Texas. H.B. 3481 seeks to address this issue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3481 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to require the Parks and Wildlife Commission to waive the resident fishing license fee for a resident who is 65 years old or over and removes the commission's authority to waive the resident fishing license requirement for such a person. The bill establishes that the Parks and Wildlife Department is not required to issue a refund for any license issued before the bill's effective date. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.