By: Huffines, et al. S.B. No. 1181

(Murr, Guillen)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an interim study concerning this state's noncommercial hunting and fishing license systems.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) The Parks and Wildlife Department shall conduct a study of ways to simplify and consolidate the department's noncommercial hunting and fishing license systems into a single master license. The study must evaluate:

(1) consolidating all noncommercial hunting and fishing licenses, tags, and stamps into a master license while maintaining license exemptions in existence as of the effective date of this Act;

(2) how to maintain wildlife management standards under a master license system;

(3) the elimination of the hunter education course as a separate requirement for hunting with a license or how to maintain the hunter education program under a master license system without unduly affecting persons who would need the license only for fishing; and

(4) ways to increase ease of purchase and use for individuals applying for a hunting or fishing license in this state.

(b) Not later than November 12, 2017, the Parks and Wildlife Department shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the chair of each committee of the legislature that has primary jurisdiction over the department a written report that summarizes the findings of the study conducted under Subsection (a) of this section.

SECTION 2. This Act expires December 31, 2017.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.