BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 384
89R4303 MP-F	By: Flores
	Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
	2/19/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Operation Game Thief is Texas' wildlife Crime-stoppers program, offering rewards of up to $1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and conviction for a wildlife crime. The program was established in 1981 as a result of laws passed by the 67th Legislature to help curtail poaching. The program, a function of the law enforcement division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is highly successful.

The program is privately funded and dependent on financial support from the public through the purchase of OGT memberships and merchandise, donations, sponsorships, and gifts.

S.B. 384 allows those applying for a hunting or fishing license to voluntarily contribute money to the Operation Game Thief fund, to assist in obtaining information leading to the arrest and conviction of poachers.

As proposed, S.B. 384 amends current law relating to making a donation to the operation game thief fund when applying for a hunting or fishing license.

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 Subchapter C, Chapter 12, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding Section 12.207, as follows:

Sec. 12.207. DONATION TO FUND BY HUNTING OR FISHING LICENSE APPLICANT. (a) Authorizes an applicant for a hunting or a fishing license of any type under the Parks and Wildlife Code, including a combination hunting and fishing license, to make a donation of $1, $5, $10, or $20 to the operation game thief fund when applying for the license.

(b) Requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to:

(1) include space on the first page of each application for a hunting or fishing license that allows an applicant to indicate that the applicant is donating $1, $5, $10, or $20 to the operation game thief fund; and

(2) provide an opportunity for an applicant for a hunting or fishing license to donate $1, $5, $10, or $20 to the operation game thief fund through TPWD's Internet website.  

(c) Requires TPWD to deposit a donation made under this section in the operation game thief fund not later than the 14th day of each month. Authorizes TPWD, before depositing the money, to deduct money equal to the amount of reasonable expenses for developing and administering this section.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.