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.