Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 305 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to continue the Parks and Wildlife Department until September 1, 2013, and to include sunset across-the-board provisions. In addition, the bill makes numerous changes to the statutes governing the department, including the following:

• The department is prohibited from entering into a contract for a publication unless the contract allows the department to terminate the contract if the publication violates department rules regarding advertising appropriate for viewing by youths.
• The bill prohibits the department from accepting an advertisement for a tobacco product in any publication sponsored or published by the department.
• The department is required to ensure that outreach and education activities are consistent with the department's goals, do not duplicate efforts by the department or other entities, and provide a cost-effective method for reaching participants, as well as results that can be effectively measured.
• The department is required to calculate the total cost of each completed construction project and evaluate the costs and benefits of contracting with a private entity to manage proposed construction projects.
• Money from license fees paid by hunters and fishermen may only be used to manage the fish and wildlife resources of the state.
• The department is required to obtain approval from the Parks and Wildlife Commission for each development plan required by law for a geographical area managed by the department, and the commission is required to hold a hearing on the approval of the plan.
• The department is required to inventory all land and water associated with historical, natural, recreational, and wildlife resources in the state that are owned by governmental or nonprofit entities that offer public access and store the information in a database. The bill requires the department to create a land and water resources conservation and recreation plan using the information in the database. The bill establishes criteria that must be used to develop the plan and sets out guidelines for issues that the plan must address.
• The bill establishes business oversight mechanisms for the department's commercial ventures and requires the department to develop an agency-wide business plan to guide its overall operational strategies for statewide commercial projects and to develop individual plans for each statewide commercial project.
• The bill establishes guidelines for the department's cooperation with official nonprofit partners.
• The department is required to coordinate with the Texas Historical Commission to identify and preserve historical sites in the state.
• The bill modifies requirements for oyster bed leases and increases the lease fee from $3 to $6 per acre each year.
• The department is required to conduct a comprehensive study of shrimp resources, including the shrimp population and the shrimp industry.
• The department is authorized to use obsolete bridges, tunnels, and causeways received from the Texas Department of Transportation to create artificial reefs.

            The bill also authorizes the department to create a program to identify and classify boat dealers and manufacturers in Texas; encourages the department to seek matching funds for bond projects; exempts the department from laws relating to the collection and reporting of information about people detained during traffic and pedestrian stops; requires the department to adopt rules relating to the legibility of hunting and fishing licenses and to assist local governments regarding aquatic vegetation management and control; and authorizes city mayors to have the same powers as county commissioners related to damage or threats to public safety by wildlife.