HBA-BSM H.B. 2615 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2615 By: Solis, Jim State Recreational Resources 3/25/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE During the interim following the last legislative session, the Parks and Wildlife Commission (commission) held hearings regarding shrimping regulations. Because many of these hearings were held during times concurrent with peak hours for shrimping, many shrimpers in the industry were unable to attend the hearings. House Bill 2615 prohibits the commission from holding public hearings regarding a commercial fishing industry at times congruent with peak commercial fishing hours during the season. 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 2615 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to prohibit the Parks and Wildlife Commission from holding a public hearing on a matter that affects a commercial fishing activity during the period in which that activity is most active. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.