H.B. No. 2032




AN ACT
relating to the expansion of the operation game thief program to include certain other violations of law. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 12.201, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 12.201. CREATION OF FUND. The department may accept and deposit in a special fund outside the state treasury, called the operation game thief fund, donations from any person made for purposes of this subchapter. Funds deposited in the operation game thief fund may be used only for the maintenance of that fund, promotion of the operation game thief program through advertisement and marketing, the development, acquisition, and implementation of technological advancements to facilitate the apprehension and prosecution of persons who violate laws of this state intended to protect the state's natural or cultural resources or the public safety of persons using those natural or cultural resources, and payment of rewards and death benefits authorized by this subchapter. The Operation Game Thief Committee shall adopt rules for the implementation of the operation game thief program and maintenance of the operation game thief fund. SECTION 2. Section 12.203(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) A person may apply to the committee for a reward to be paid from the operation game thief fund if the person [who] furnishes information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person for a [flagrant] violation of this code or any of the following laws or a regulation [or proclamation] adopted under this code or any of the following laws: (1) Subchapter B, Chapter 365, Health and Safety Code; (2) Subchapter E, Chapter 191, Natural Resources Code; (3) Chapter 28 or Section 30.05, 31.03, 31.11, 37.10, 49.06, 49.07, or 49.08, Penal Code; (4) Chapter 160, Tax Code; or (5) Subchapter E, Chapter 7, or Subchapter D, Chapter 26, Water Code [that applies to the taking, possession, or sale of an animal, bird, reptile, or fish may apply to the committee for a reward to be paid from the operation game thief fund]. SECTION 3. Section 12.203(d), Parks and Wildlife Code, is repealed. SECTION 4. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, the conviction of a person, before the effective date of this Act, for a violation of a law included under Section 12.203(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, as amended by this Act, may not be the basis of a claim for reward made under Subchapter C, Chapter 12, Parks and Wildlife Code, as amended by this Act. (b) The conviction of a person before the effective date of this Act for a flagrant violation of the Parks and Wildlife Code or a regulation or proclamation adopted under that code applicable to the taking, possession, or sale of an animal, bird, reptile, or fish may be the basis of a claim for reward made under Subchapter C, Chapter 12, Parks and Wildlife Code, as amended by this Act. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 2032 was passed by the House on April 22, 2005, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 2032 was passed by the Senate on May 12, 2005, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor