TO:	Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1179 by Lozano (Relating to the payment of restitution for the taking of wildlife resources without the property owner's consent. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

The bill would amend the Parks and Wildlife Code relating to the restitution for taking wildlife resources without the landowner's consent. The bill would provide that a court will order a defendant convicted of an offense under the Parks and Wildlife Code to make restitution to the owner of the land, submerged land, or water, rather than the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), as is provided in current law. The bill stipulates, restitution may not include payment for the value of wildlife or wildlife remains. TPWD indicates the bill provisions would result in minimal revenue loss to the General Revenue-Dedicated Game, Fish and Water Safety Account No. 9, however, this revenue loss is not anticipated to be a significant fiscal implication to the account.
 
The bill would take immediate effect if the bill receives two-thirds the vote in both houses.  Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2013.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.