TITLE: Relating to the ownership of certain wildlife resources of this state.

SUMMARY: Relating to the ownership of certain wildlife resources of this state.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the ownership of certain wildlife resources of this state. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 1.011, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by amending Subsections (b), (c), and (d) and adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: (b) All fish and other aquatic animal life are the property of the people of this state if found [contained] in:(1) the freshwater rivers, creeks, and streams and public [in] lakes or sloughs subject to overflow from rivers or other streams within the borders of this state;(2) the bayous, lagoons, creeks, lakes, bays, and inlets of this state; or (3) that part of the Gulf of Mexico within the jurisdiction of this state [are the property of the people of this state].(c) All the beds and bottoms and the products of the beds and bottoms of the public rivers, bayous, lagoons, creeks, lakes, bays, and inlets in this state and of that part of the Gulf of Mexico within the jurisdiction of this state are the property of this state. The department [state] may permit the use of the waters and bottoms and the taking of the products of the bottoms and waters. (d) The department [Parks and Wildlife Department] shall regulate the taking and conservation of fish, oysters, shrimp, crabs, turtles, terrapins, mussels, lobsters, and all other kinds and forms of marine life, or sand, gravel, marl, mud shell, and all other kinds of shell in accordance with the authority vested in it by this code. (e) Any wild animal, including a fur-bearing animal, wild bird, or wild fowl, described by Subsection (a) or fish or other aquatic animal life described by Subsection (b) or (d) that is possessed under a license or permit issued by the department remains the property of the state. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.