BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1771
85R19648 SLB-D	By: Price; Martinez, "Mando" (Seliger)
	Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs
	5/11/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Civilians are discharging firearms and shooting arrows from bows in and on the beds and banks of a certain portion of the Canadian River in Potter County. The bullets and arrows are crossing into private property. H.B. 1771 seeks to address this issue by prohibiting such actions in a specified area, with certain limited exceptions.

H.B. 1771 amends current law relating to the use of certain weapons in or on the beds or banks of the Canadian River in Potter County.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Title 7, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding Chapter 287, as follows:

CHAPTER 287. POTTER COUNTY

Sec. 287.001. DISCHARGE OF FIREARM PROHIBITED. (a) Defines "firearm."

(b) Provides that this section applies only to a certain segment of the Canadian River.

(c) Prohibits a person, except as provided by Subsection (d), from discharging a firearm or shooting an arrow from any kind of bow if the person is located in or on the bed or bank of the portion of the Canadian River to which this chapter applies at the time the firearm is discharged or the arrow is shot from the bow.

(d) Provides that this section does not apply to an individual acting in the scope of the individual's duties as a peace officer or Texas Parks and Wildlife Department employee or to the discharge of a shotgun loaded with ammunition that releases only shot when discharged.

(e) Provides that this section does not limit the ability of a license holder to carry a concealed handgun under the authority of Subchapter H (License to Carry a Handgun), Chapter 411 (Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas), Government Code.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.