BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1341

By: Leach

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under state law, certain disabled veterans are eligible for a state parklands passport which waives the entry fee for state parks for the veteran. However, under federal law, certain military personnel and veterans can receive free entry to all national parks. Legislation is needed to better align Texas' state park policy with federal park policy and to honor the service of our military personnel, veterans, and first responders. H.B. 1341 seeks to address this issue by expanding eligibility for a state parklands passport and providing for a waiver of state park entrance fees for certain first responders.

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

H.B. 1341 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to require the Parks and Wildlife Department to waive a state park entrance fee for a Texas resident who is a first responder, defined by the bill as the following:

· a firefighter certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection or by the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas;

· an individual certified as emergency medical services personnel by the Department of State Health Services;

· a municipal police officer;

· a sheriff, deputy sheriff, or reserve deputy sheriff; or

· a constable, deputy constable, or reserve deputy constable.

H.B. 1341 makes the following persons eligible for a state parklands passport:

· an active duty member of the U.S. armed services, regardless of age;

· a veteran of the U.S. armed services, regardless of any service-connected disability; and

· an active duty member or veteran of the following:

o the Texas Army National Guard;

o the Texas Air National Guard; or

o the Texas State Guard.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.