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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a waiver of fees by the Department of Agriculture and |
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the Parks and Wildlife Department for certain educational programs |
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involving aquaculture and hydroponics. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 134.014, Agriculture Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 134.014. LICENSE FEES; WAIVERS. (a) The department |
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shall issue an aquaculture license or a fish farm vehicle license on |
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completion of applicable license requirements and the payment of a |
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fee by the applicant, as provided by department rule. |
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(b) The department by rule shall waive the initial and |
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renewal aquaculture license fees if the license or license renewal |
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is requested by a public school to establish and maintain an |
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educational program that will give students experience with a |
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sustainable system of agriculture that mixes aquaculture and |
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hydroponics. To qualify for the fee waiver, the school must submit |
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an application to the department showing that the school's program |
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meets the department's requirements, including requirements for |
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supervision, handling of the fish species, and control of wastes. |
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SECTION 2. Section 66.007, Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows: |
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(c-1) The commission by rule shall waive the initial and |
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renewal fees for an exotic species permit if the permit or permit |
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renewal is requested by a public school to establish and maintain an |
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educational program that will give students experience with a |
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sustainable system of agriculture that mixes aquaculture and |
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hydroponics. To qualify for the fee waiver, the school must submit |
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an application to the department showing that the school's program |
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meets the department's requirements, including requirements for |
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supervision, handling of the exotic species, and control of wastes. |
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SECTION 3. (a) The Department of Agriculture shall adopt |
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rules required to implement Section 134.014, Agriculture Code, as |
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amended by this Act, not later than December 31, 2015. |
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(b) The Parks and Wildlife Commission shall adopt rules |
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required to implement Section 66.007(c-1), Parks and Wildlife Code, |
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as added by this Act, not later than December 31, 2015. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |