TITLE: Relating to hunting and fishing license fee exemptions for certain veterans.

SUMMARY: Relating to hunting and fishing license fee exemptions for certain veterans.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to hunting and fishing license fee exemptions for certain veterans. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 42.012(c), Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows: (c) "Qualified disabled veteran" means a veteran with a service connected disability, as defined by the Veterans' Administration, consisting of the loss of the use of an upper or [a] lower extremity or of a disability rating of 60 percent or more and who is receiving compensation from the United States for the disability. SECTION 2. Section 50.001(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The department may issue to residents of this state and nonresident qualified disabled veterans a combination hunting and fishing license. SECTION 3. Section 50.0011, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 50.0011. DEFINITIONS [DEFINITION].In this chapter:(1) "Qualified disabled veteran" has the meaning assigned by Section 42.012(c). (2) "Resident" [ "resident"] means: (A) [(1)] an individual who has resided continuously in this state for more than six months immediately before applying for a license issued under this chapter; (B) [(2)] a member of the United States armed forces on active duty; (C) [(3)] a dependent of a member of the United States armed forces on active duty; or (D) [(4)] a member of any other category of individuals that the commission by regulation designates as residents. SECTION 4. Section 50.002, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: (c) The commission shall waive the fee under Subsection (a) for a qualified disabled veteran who is a resident or nonresident. SECTION 5. Section 50.003, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 50.003. OTHER LICENSES NOT REQUIRED. A holder of [resident who has acquired] a combination hunting and fishing license is not required to obtain the hunting license required by Chapter 42 [of this code] or the fishing license required by Chapter 46 [of this code].SECTION 6. (a) The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a fee charged for a hunting or fishing license issued on or after the effective date of this Act. (b) A hunting or fishing license issued before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the license was issued, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. The Parks and Wildlife Department is not required to issue a refund for any license issued before the effective date of this Act. SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.