83R10361 SGA-D
By: Farney H.B. No. 1937
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to exempting residents who are at least 65 years of age
from paying certain parks and wildlife fees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 13.015(a-1), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a-1) The commission shall [may] waive the park entrance fee
for a person who is a resident of this state and at least 65 [70]
years of age. The commission may not waive the fee for use of a park
facility, including a hook-up fee for electricity or water.
SECTION 2. Section 13.018(c), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(c) The holder of a state parklands passport issued on or
before August 31, 1995, a person who is a resident of this state and
at least 65 years of age [whose birth date is before September 1,
1930], or a veteran described by Subsection (a)(2) is entitled to
enter any state park without payment of an entrance or admission
fee. When a fee is charged by the department for entrance of a
vehicle into a state park, the vehicle of the holder of a state
parklands passport is exempt from the fee when the holder is
present.
SECTION 3. Section 42.012(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) The commission may set a lower fee or waive the fee or
license requirement for a resident who is under 17 years of age
[old, 65 years old or older,] or participating in an event that is
sponsored or co-sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department with the approval of the executive director. The
commission shall waive the fee for a:
(1) resident who is at least 65 years of age;
(2) qualified disabled veteran; or
(3) [and for a] resident on active duty as a member of
the United States military forces, the Texas Army National Guard,
the Texas Air National Guard, or the Texas State Guard.
SECTION 4. Sections 46.004(b) and (c), Parks and Wildlife
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(b) The commission may establish a lower fee or waive the
fee or license requirement for:
(1) a resident who has a general commercial
fisherman's license of this state;
(2) a resident who is blind as defined by Section
94.001, Human Resources Code;
(3) a resident or nonresident who is under 17 years of
age [old]; or
(4) a [resident or] nonresident who is at least 65
years of age [old or over].
(c) The commission shall waive the fee for a:
(1) resident who is at least 65 years of age;
(2) qualified disabled veteran as defined by Section
42.012; or
(3) [and for a] resident on active duty as a member of
the United States military forces, the Texas Army National Guard,
the Texas Air National Guard, or the Texas State Guard.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.