BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1764
	By: Perry
	Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
	3/22/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Most rivers and streams are public land and the public is permitted to walk and hunt in these waters. However, many rivers and streams are completely surrounded by private property, so when people hunt in these public rivers, they inevitably trespass on private property if they exit the riverbed. Many landowners have become frustrated with hunters constantly trespassing on their property, so the Parks and Wildlife Code contains a list of counties where it is illegal to hunt in public rivers and streams. S.B. 1764 repeals the current list of counties where it is illegal to hunt in rivers, and replaces it with a statewide ban against hunting in rivers and streams.

As proposed, S.B. 1764 amends current law relating to the use of certain weapons in or on the bed or bank of a navigable river or stream.

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 the heading to Chapter 284, Parks and Wildlife Code, to read as follows:

CHAPTER 284. USE OF CERTAIN WEAPONS IN OR ON BED OR BANK OF NAVIGABLE RIVER OR STREAM PROHIBITED

SECTION 2. Amends the heading to Section 284.001, Parks and Wildlife Code, to read as follows:

Sec. 284.001.  USE OF CERTAIN WEAPONS IN OR ON BED OR BANK OF NAVIGABLE RIVER OR STREAM PROHIBITED.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 284.001(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, as follows:

(b) Provides that this section applies only to a navigable river or stream located wholly or partly in this state, rather than in Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Hall, Kenedy, Llano, Maverick, Real, Uvalde, or Zavala County.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2023.