By: White, Guillen, et al. H.B. No. 559
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a fishing license fee waiver for certain residents.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. 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
355.001 [94.001], Labor [Human Resources] Code;
(3) a resident or nonresident who is under 17 years
old; or
(4) a resident who is at least 65 years old but younger
than 85 years old or a nonresident who is 65 years old or over.
(c) The commission shall waive the fee for:
(1) a qualified disabled veteran as defined by Section
42.012;
(2) [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;
(3) a resident who is under 17 years old and who has a
disability; and
(4) a resident who is 85 years old or over.
SECTION 2. (a) The change in law made by this Act applies
only to a fee charged for a fishing license issued on or after the
effective date of this Act.
(b) A fishing license issued before the effective date of
this Act is covered by the law in effect when the license was
issued, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
The Parks and Wildlife Department is not required to issue a refund
for any license issued before the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.