Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1181 by Huffines (relating to an interim study concerning this state’s noncommercial hunting and fishing license systems.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to conduct an interim study regarding the consolidation of non-commercial hunting and fishing licenses, tags, and stamps into a single license while maintaining current license exemptions. The bill would require the study to include how to maintain wildlife management standards under a single license; the elimination of the hunter education course as a separate requirement for hunting with a license, or how to maintain the hunter education requirement without unduly affecting those who would only use the license to fish; and ways to increase the ease of purchase and use for individuals applying for a hunting/fishing license.
Based on information provided by TPWD, the duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.