85R4639 SLB-D     By: Guillen H.B. No. 1724       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of the commercial license buyback   account managed by the Parks and Wildlife Department.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 47, Parks and Wildlife   Code, is amended by adding Section 47.041 to read as follows:          Sec. 47.041.  COMMERCIAL LICENSE BUYBACK ACCOUNT. (a)  The   commercial license buyback account is a separate account in the   general revenue fund. The account consists of money deposited to   the account under this section and Sections 47.081 and 78.111.          (b)  The department may accept grants and donations of money   or materials from private or public sources to be applied to the   commercial license buyback account.          (c)  In addition to fee increases the department is   authorized to make under this code, the department shall increase   by 15 percent, but not by an amount that exceeds $25, the fee for the   following licenses and shall deposit the amount of the increase to   the credit of the commercial license buyback account:                (1)  a bait-shrimp dealer's license issued under   Section 77.043;                (2)  a wholesale fish dealer's license issued under   Section 47.009;                (3)  a wholesale truck dealer's fish license issued   under Section 47.010;                (4)  a retail fish dealer's license issued under   Section 47.011;                (5)  a retail dealer's truck license issued under   Section 47.013;                (6)  a commercial bait-shrimp boat license issued under   Section 77.033;                (7)  a commercial bay shrimp boat license issued under   Section 77.031; and                (8)  a commercial gulf shrimp boat license issued under   Section 77.035.          (d)  The department shall deposit to the credit of the   commercial license buyback account transfer fees received under   Section 77.115.          (e)  Money in the commercial license buyback account may be   used only to buy back from a willing license holder a commercial   license.          (f)  Money to be used for the purpose of buying back licenses   issued under this subchapter is not subject to Section 403.095,   Government Code.          SECTION 2.  Section 47.081(d), Parks and Wildlife Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (d)  The department shall set aside at least 20 percent of   the fees from licenses issued and license transfers approved under   this subchapter [to be used only for the purpose of buying back   those licenses from a willing license holder]. That money shall be   sent to the comptroller for deposit to the credit of the commercial   license buyback [game, fish, and water safety] account.          SECTION 3.  Section 78.111(d), Parks and Wildlife Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (d)  The department shall set aside at least 20 percent of   the fee from commercial crab licenses and transfer fees [to be used   only for the purpose of buying back commercial crab licenses from a   willing license holder]. That money shall be sent to the   comptroller for deposit to the credit of the commercial license   buyback [game, fish, and water safety] account.          SECTION 4.  The following sections of the Parks and Wildlife   Code are repealed:                (1)  Sections 47.081(e) and (f);                (2)  Section 77.120; and                (3)  Sections 78.111(e) and (f).          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.