BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 573

By: Estes

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties assert the need to revise the authorized uses of the net receipts from freshwater fishing stamp and collectable freshwater fishing stamp sales to better address ongoing freshwater fishing needs. S.B. 573 seeks to address this need by making such revisions.

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

S.B. 573 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to replace as an authorized use of the net receipts from freshwater fishing stamp sales the replacement of freshwater fish hatcheries in Texas with the construction of such hatcheries. The bill includes as authorized uses of such net receipts the repair, maintenance, renovation, or construction of facilities supporting the management of and research related to freshwater fisheries; the restoration, enhancement, or management of freshwater fish habitats; the development of shoreline-based projects allowing freshwater angler access; and the administration and operation of freshwater fish hatcheries in an amount capped at 20 percent of the average annual net receipts in a state fiscal biennium. The bill repeals a provision that restricts the spending of the net receipts from collectible freshwater fishing stamp sales to the restoration, enhancement, or management of freshwater fish habitats and instead restricts the spending of such net receipts to the same purposes for which the net receipts from freshwater fishing stamp sales may be spent.

S.B. 573 repeals Section 43.805(c), Parks and Wildlife Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.