HBA-BSM H.B. 1915 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1915
By: Capelo
State Recreational Resources
7/25/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In many communities, there are caring neighbors and volunteers who are
willing to offer their time and effort to help those with mental handicaps.
For example, some mentally retarded individuals may enjoy outdoor
recreations such as fishing but may not be able to obtain a fishing license
for whatever reason.  The ability for a neighbor or volunteer who has a
fishing license to take these individuals fishing would be beneficial for
both parties involved.   House Bill 1915 exempts certain persons with
mental retardation from the recreational fishing license requirement. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill. 1915 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to exempt certain
persons from the requirement to acquire a fishing license.  The bill
establishes that a fishing license is not required of mentally retarded
individuals who are engaged in recreational fishing under the immediate
supervision of a person who: 

_holds a license; and

_has the permission of the mentally retarded  person's family head or legal
guardian to take the mentally retarded person fishing if the person is not
a member of the family of the mentally retarded person. 

The bill also provides that a mentally retarded person who is engaged in
recreational fishing must carry a note from a doctor stating that the
person has been diagnosed as mentally retarded.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.