SRC-TJG S.B. 3 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 3 78R11660 LJR-DBy: Armbrister Natural Resources 5/2/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, some native deer are confined by private landowners behind high fences. These high fences represent a "special" management situation which is not dealt with through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) regulations. As proposed, S.B. 3 authorizes the TPWD to take certain actions under wildlife management plans relating to the management of deer and land with deer populations. This bill also provides that the general laws and regulations of this state applicable to white-tailed deer do not apply to deer on the acreage covered by the permit, except as expressly provided by this subchapter and the terms and conditions of the permit and management plan. 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 Section 42.018(g), Parks and Wildlife Code, to authorize the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), under a wildlife management plan approved by TPWD, to issue to a landowner a managed lands deer permit, provide for different management activities under dirrerent permitted levels, and establish different fees for the different levels of permits. Provides that the greater freedom given the landowner in managing deer populations under the applicable permit level, the greater the amount of the fee TPWD shall establish for the permit. SECTION 2. Amends Section 43.603(c), Parks and Wildlife Code, to authorize TPWD to establish various levels of permits to be issued under this subchapter, determine the activities permitted under the respective levels, and establish different fees for the various levels. Deletes existing text relating to requiring TPWD to set a fee for the issuance or renewal of a permit in an amount not to exceed $1,000. SECTION 3. Amends Section 43.606, Parks and Wildlife Code, to provide that the general laws and regulations of this state applicable to white-tailed deer do not apply to deer on the acreage covered by the permit, except as expressly provided by this subchapter and the terms and conditions of the permit and management plan. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2003.