By: Morrison, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Hinojosa) H.B. No. 3497

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 3, 2023; May 5, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs; May 12, 2023, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 12, 2023, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the requirement that certain persons taking oysters on a licensed commercial oyster boat obtain a commercial fisherman's license.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 47.002(f), Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows:

(f) A person who takes or assists in taking oysters on a vessel licensed as a commercial oyster boat under Chapter 76 is [not] required to obtain or possess a general commercial fisherman's license. This subsection does not apply to the holder of a commercial oyster boat captain's license.

SECTION 2. Section 76.101(d), Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows:

(d) Each member of the crew of a licensed commercial oyster boat is required to have a general commercial fisherman's license to take oysters while they are on a licensed boat that is being used to take oysters. This subsection does not apply to the holder of a commercial oyster boat captain's license.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

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