88R746 BEE-D
 
  By: Bailes H.B. No. 641
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a fishing license fee waiver for certain residents.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 46.004(b) and (c), Parks and Wildlife
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The commission may establish a lower fee or waive the
  fee or license requirement for:
               (1)  a resident who has a general commercial
  fisherman's license of this state;
               (2)  a resident who is a blind person as defined by
  Section 355.001 [94.001], Labor [Human Resources] Code;
               (3)  a resident or nonresident who is under 17 years
  old; or
               (4)  a resident who is at least 65 years old but younger
  than 85 years old or a nonresident who is 65 years old or over.
         (c)  The commission shall waive the fee for:
               (1)  a qualified veteran with a disability as defined
  by Section 42.012;
               (2)  [and for] a resident on active duty as a member of
  the United States military forces, the Texas Army National Guard,
  the Texas Air National Guard, or the Texas State Guard; and
               (3)  a resident who is 85 years old or over.
         SECTION 2.  (a) The change in law made by this Act applies
  only to a fee charged for a fishing license issued on or after the
  effective date of this Act.
         (b)  The Parks and Wildlife Department is not required to
  issue a refund for a license issued before the effective date of
  this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.