BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1930 89R5233 BEE-F By: Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy" Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs 3/27/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT For recreational fishing in Texas, any person over the age of 17 must obtain a valid fishing license, or fishing stamp from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Fishing stamps, specifically freshwater fishing stamps, are important to obtain as they provide funding for the management and conservation of freshwater fisheries including habitat restoration and hatchery maintenance. These services protect Texas wildlife and ensure that Texas waterways are sustainably managed. While freshwater fishing stamps dedicate their funding to conservation, saltwater fishing stamps currently do not. Amending the Parks and Wildlife Code to dedicate the funds generated from saltwater fishing stamps to the repair, maintenance, renovation, and construction of saltwater fish hatcheries would align with previous legislation for freshwater fishing. Dedicating this funding to sustainable practices will further protect Texas' waterways. S.B. 1930 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to dedicate funds generated through saltwater fishing stamp sales to saltwater conservation efforts. These efforts include the repair, maintenance, renovation, and construction of saltwater fish hatcheries; restoration and management of saltwater fish habitats; and development of shoreline-based projects allowing saltwater angler access. As proposed, S.B. 1930 amends current law relating to the use of proceeds from the sale of saltwater fishing stamps issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends the heading to Section 43.405, Parks and Wildlife Code, to read as follows: Sec. 43.405. DISPOSITION AND USE OF STAMP FEES. SECTION 2. Amends Section 43.405(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, as follows: (b) Provides that the stamp sale net receipts are authorized to be spent only for coastal fisheries management, including: (1) repair, maintenance, renovation, and construction of saltwater fish hatcheries in this state and facilities supporting the management of and research related to saltwater fisheries; (2) restoration, enhancement, and management of saltwater fish habitats; (3) development of shoreline-based projects allowing saltwater angler access; and (4) purchase of licenses under a license buyback program authorized by certain sections of the Parks and Wildlife Code. Deletes existing text requiring that the stamp sale net receipts be spent for coastal fisheries enforcement and management and providing that they are hereby appropriated for such purposes. SECTION 3. Makes application of Section 43.405(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, as amended by this Act, prospective. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1930
89R5233 BEE-F By: Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy"
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
3/27/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1930
89R5233 BEE-F
By: Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy"
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
3/27/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
For recreational fishing in Texas, any person over the age of 17 must obtain a valid fishing license, or fishing stamp from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Fishing stamps, specifically freshwater fishing stamps, are important to obtain as they provide funding for the management and conservation of freshwater fisheries including habitat restoration and hatchery maintenance. These services protect Texas wildlife and ensure that Texas waterways are sustainably managed.
While freshwater fishing stamps dedicate their funding to conservation, saltwater fishing stamps currently do not. Amending the Parks and Wildlife Code to dedicate the funds generated from saltwater fishing stamps to the repair, maintenance, renovation, and construction of saltwater fish hatcheries would align with previous legislation for freshwater fishing. Dedicating this funding to sustainable practices will further protect Texas' waterways.
S.B. 1930 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to dedicate funds generated through saltwater fishing stamp sales to saltwater conservation efforts. These efforts include the repair, maintenance, renovation, and construction of saltwater fish hatcheries; restoration and management of saltwater fish habitats; and development of shoreline-based projects allowing saltwater angler access.
As proposed, S.B. 1930 amends current law relating to the use of proceeds from the sale of saltwater fishing stamps issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends the heading to Section 43.405, Parks and Wildlife Code, to read as follows:
Sec. 43.405. DISPOSITION AND USE OF STAMP FEES.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 43.405(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, as follows:
(b) Provides that the stamp sale net receipts are authorized to be spent only for coastal fisheries management, including:
(1) repair, maintenance, renovation, and construction of saltwater fish hatcheries in this state and facilities supporting the management of and research related to saltwater fisheries;
(2) restoration, enhancement, and management of saltwater fish habitats;
(3) development of shoreline-based projects allowing saltwater angler access; and
(4) purchase of licenses under a license buyback program authorized by certain sections of the Parks and Wildlife Code.
Deletes existing text requiring that the stamp sale net receipts be spent for coastal fisheries enforcement and management and providing that they are hereby appropriated for such purposes.
SECTION 3. Makes application of Section 43.405(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, as amended by this Act, prospective.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2025.