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


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1915
By: Capelo
State Recreational Resources
3/13/2001
Introduced



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, then, for a neighbor or volunteer who
has a fishing license, to take these individuals fishing would serve a
rewarding purpose to 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.  This Act
applies to mentally retarded individuals who live at home with family
members and who are engaged in recreational fishing under the immediate
supervision of a volunteer person who: 

_holds a license;

_is not a member of the family of the mentally retarded person; and 

_has the permission of the mentally retarded person's family head or legal
guardian.   

The bill also exempts mentally retarded individuals from having to carry
identifying authorization of any kind to engage in recreational fishing.    

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.