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BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 2009

By: Bonnen, Greg

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Interested parties contend that the exemption for certain current and former military personnel from certain requirements under a state hunter education program should be broadened to include additional types of service members. C.S.H.B. 2009 seeks to address this issue by broadening such exemption.

 

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

 

C.S.H.B. 2009 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to broaden the exemption for certain current and former military personnel from any requirement to complete the live firing portion of a hunter education course under a state hunter education program to exempt such personnel from any requirement to complete such a course. The bill extends the exemption to a person who has previously served as a member of the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, or the Texas State Guard and to certain persons who are serving or have previously served as peace officers.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 2009 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

INTRODUCED

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1.  Section 62.014, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by amending Subsection (n) to read as follows:

(n)  The following persons are exempt from any requirement to complete [the live firing portion of] a hunter education course under this section:

(1)  an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces[;] or

[(2)]  a person who is on active duty as a member of the United States armed [military] forces;

(2)  a person who is on active duty or has previously served as a member of the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, or the Texas State Guard; or

(3)  a person who is serving as a peace officer described by Subdivision (1), (2), (3), or (4), Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure[, the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, or the Texas State Guard].

 

SECTION 1.  Section 62.014, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by amending Subsection (n) to read as follows:

(n)  The following persons are exempt from any requirement to complete [the live firing portion of] a hunter education course under this section:

(1)  an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces[;] or

[(2)]  a person who is on active duty as a member of the United States armed [military] forces;

(2)  a person who is on active duty or has previously served as a member of the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, or the Texas State Guard; or

(3)  a person who is serving or has previously served as a peace officer described by Subdivision (1), (2), (3), or (4), Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure[, the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, or the Texas State Guard].

SECTION 2.  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, 2017.

SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.