86R15598 AAF-D
 
  By: Lozano H.B. No. 2218
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to creating a Class C menhaden boat license; imposing a
  fee; requiring a license.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 47.008, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
  amended by amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsection
  (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a)  A boat may not be used for the purpose of catching,
  storing, and transporting menhaden in tidal water unless the owner
  of the boat has acquired:
               (1)  a Class A menhaden boat license; or
               (2)  a Class C menhaden boat license.
         (a-1)  The holder of a Class C menhaden boat license may not
  take or harvest from the public water of the state more than 300
  pounds a day of menhaden or an amount set by the department.
         (d)  The commission shall set the license fee for each [Class
  B] menhaden boat for each yearly period:
               (1)  in an amount not less than $2,000 for a Class A
  menhaden boat license;
               (2)  in an amount not to exceed $50 for a Class B
  menhaden boat license; and
               (3)  at $420 for a Class C menhaden boat license.
         SECTION 2.  Section 47.038, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), nets [Nets] or
  purse seines used for catching menhaden may not be:
               (1)  less than one and one-half inch stretched mesh,
  excluding the bag;
               (2)  used in any bay, river, pass, or tributary, nor
  within one mile of any barrier, jetty, island, or pass, nor within
  one-half mile offshore in the Gulf of Mexico; or
               (3)  used for the purpose of taking edible aquatic
  products for the purpose of barter, sale, or exchange.
         (a-1)  The holder of a Class C menhaden boat license issued
  under Section 47.008 may use a cast net, as defined by the
  commission, to catch menhaden.
         SECTION 3.  Section 47.008(c), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
  repealed.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.