bill lets Texans 70 and up fish license-free

The text as introduced · 389 words

89R3318 BEE-D

By: VanDeaver
H.B. No. 1117

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an exemption to the fishing license requirement for

certain residents engaged in fishing in public waters.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 46.002(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(a) A license issued under this chapter is not required of a

person:

(1) who is a resident and whose birth date is before

January 1, 1931;

(2) who is a nonresident, if the person's birth date is

before September 1, 1930, and the person's state of residence

grants a similar age exemption to Texas residents;

(3) with a mental illness or developmental or

intellectual disability who is engaged in recreational fishing as

part of medically approved therapy under the immediate supervision

of personnel approved or employed by a hospital, residence, or

school for persons with mental illnesses or developmental or

intellectual disabilities;

(4) with a mental illness or developmental or

intellectual disability who is engaged in recreational fishing

under the immediate supervision of a person who:

(A) holds a license issued under this chapter;

and

(B) if not a member of the family of the person

with a mental illness or developmental or intellectual disability,

has the permission of the family head or legal guardian of the

person with a mental illness or developmental or intellectual

disability to take the person with a mental illness or

developmental or intellectual disability fishing;

(5) who is participating in an event that is sponsored

or co-sponsored by the department with the approval of the

director; [ or ]

(6) who is a resident and who is a veteran of the

United States armed forces, if the person is acting under Section

11.208 and complying with rules adopted under that section ; or

(7) who is a resident 70 years of age or older and who

is engaged in fishing in the public water of this state .

SECTION 2. The Parks and Wildlife Department is not

required to issue a refund to a person described by Section

46.002(a)(7), Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by this Act, for a

fishing license, stamp, or package issued to the person before the

effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.