Highlights of the 79th Texas Legislature - Senate

NATURAL RESOURCES/GENERAL
Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Updates—H.B. 2026
By Representative Hilderbran—Senate Sponsor: Senator Jackson
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Code must be updated by the Texas Legislature from time to time because of changes
in wildlife management and enforcement theory. This bill:
Repeals some ambiguous language and clarifies a number of statutes related to the taking of wildlife resources,
possession of wildlife eggs, and disposition of seized wildlife, including exotic livestock and fowl.
Repeals the alligator hunting license and allows a person to take an alligator with a hunting license.
Provides for the repeal of the maximum number of acres for a private bird hunting area and clarification of area sign
placement.
Clarifies the definition of game birds held under a Game Bird Breeder's License and includes the egg of a game bird.
Makes it legal for a person to hunt an alligator, frog, or a turtle from a boat on public water.
Clarifies and simplifies taxidermy regulations.
Removes the archaic term of "game management officer" and replaces it with the term "game warden."
Deletes the archaic term "civet cat," included in the list of fur-bearing animals as a skunk.
Allows for the cost of any cold storage or processing necessary for a unlawfully possessed game bird, fowl, animal,
game fish, or exotic animal to be included as court costs.
Repeals the ability to hunt a fur-bearing animal without landowner consent.
Joint Coordination of Recycling Activities—H.B. 2466
By Representative Swinford—Senate Sponsor: Senator Ellis
The Recycling Market Development Board (board) was established by the 72nd Texas Legislature, 1991, and
charged with coordinating the recycling activities of all state agencies and pursuing an economic development
strategy that focuses on the state's waste management priorities and development of recycling industries and
markets. This bill:
Eliminates the board and establishes a joint coordination of recycling activities by the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (TBPC) with the entities
maintaining the functions and activities of the board.
Requires TCEQ and TBPC to utilize the Pollution Prevention Advisory Committee established in Section 361.0215,
Health and Safety Code, in carrying out their recycling efforts.
HIGHLIGHTS - 79 TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE 191