HBA-NIK H.B. 2973 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2973
By: Staples
State Recreational Resources
4/9/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a landowner does not have to hold a hunting or trapping license
to take a fur-bearing animal that is causing depredation to that person's
land.  A fur-bearing animal is defined as a wild beaver, otter, mink,
ring-tailed cat, badger, skunk, raccoon, muskrat, opossum, fox, nutria, or
civet cat.  Many ranchers and farmers experience damage to their property
and livestock as a result of coyotes.  However, in order to protect their
property from coyotes, landowners must have a hunting or trapping license.
H.B. 2973 adds coyote to the list of fur-bearing animals, thus giving
landowners greater ability to protect their property.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 71.001(1), Parks and Wildlife Code, to include
coyote in the definition of "fur-bearing animal." 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.