H.B. No. 3497

	AN ACT
	relating to the requirement that certain persons taking oysters on
	a licensed commercial oyster boat obtain a commercial fisherman's
	license.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 47.002(f), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(f)  A person who takes or assists in taking oysters on a
	vessel licensed as a commercial oyster boat under Chapter 76 is
	[not] required to obtain or possess a general commercial
	fisherman's license.  This subsection does not apply to the holder
	of a commercial oyster boat captain's license.
	SECTION 2.  Section 76.101(d), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(d)  Each member of the crew of a licensed commercial oyster
	boat is required to have a general commercial fisherman's license
	to take oysters while they are on a licensed boat that is being used
	to take oysters. This subsection does not apply to the holder of a
	commercial oyster boat captain's license.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 3497 was passed by the House on May 2,
	2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 145, Nays 0, 1 present, not
	voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 3497 was passed by the Senate on May
	16, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	APPROVED:  _____________________
	Date
	_____________________
	Governor