Presenter: John Young

Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Action
Amendments to the Statewide Furbearing Animal Proclamation
January 2008

I. Executive Summary: The item presents proposed changes to the Statewide Furbearing Animal Proclamation, including:

  1. lengthening of beaver season;
  2. terminology changes;
  3. reduction of the fee for the non-resident wholesale fur dealer's license from $600 to $250.

II. Discussion: Under Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 71, the commission may regulate the taking, possession, propagation, transportation, exportation, importation, sale, and offering for sale of fur-bearing animals, pelts, and carcasses as the commission considers necessary to manage fur-bearing animals or to protect human health or property. The department received two petitions for rulemaking containing suggestions that staff has determined have merit.

Staff received permission at the November 2007 meeting of the Regulations Committee to publish the proposed amendments in the Texas Register for public comment. The proposed amendments were published in the December 21, 2007 issue of the Texas Register (32 TexReg 9542, 9569). Staff will provide a summary of public comment at the time of the meeting.

III. Recommendation: Staff recommends that the commission adopt the following motion:

"The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts amendments to §53.7, concerning Finance, and §65.375 the Statewide Furbearing Animal Proclamation, with changes as necessary to the proposed text as published in the December 21, 2007 issue of the Texas Register (32 TexReg 9542, 9569)."

Attachments - 2

  1. Exhibit A – Proposed Fee Rule
  2. Exhibit B – Proposed Rule