Finance Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 am, April 4, 2007

Commission Hearing Room
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

Land and Water Plan Update
Staff: Robert Cook
Financial Overview
Staff: Mary Fields
Legislative Update
Staff: Robert Cook
License Fee and Structure Changes (Action Item No. 2)
Staff: Kim Dudish
Repeal of Fee for Proof of Ownership of Boats and Motors (Action Item No. 4)
Staff: Frances Stiles
Nonprofit Partner Rules (Action Item No. 5)
Staff:

Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter: Robert L. Cook

Finance Committee
Land and Water Plan Update
April 4, 2007

I. Executive Summary: Executive Director Robert L. Cook will briefly update the Commission on the status of the agency's efforts to implement the Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (the Plan).

II. Discussion: In 2001, the 77^th Texas Legislature directed that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) develop a Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (Tex. Park & Wild. Code §11.104). In November 2002, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) adopted the first Plan. A revised Plan was adopted by the Commission in January 2005. The Plan is available on the TPWD web site. Executive Director Robert L. Cook will update the Finance Committee on TPWD's recent progress in achieving the Plan's Goals and Objectives as they relate to the Finance Committee.

The Plan consists of 8 Goals and a total of 56 Objectives. The Goals stated in the Plan are as follows:

Goal 1: Improve access to the outdoors.
Goal 2: Preserve, conserve, manage, operate, and promote agency sites for recreational opportunities, biodiversity, and the cultural heritage of Texas.
Goal 3: Assist landowners in managing their lands for sustainable wildlife habitat consistent with their goals.
Goal 4: Increase participation in hunting, fishing, boating and outdoor recreation.
Goal 5: Enhance the quality of hunting, fishing, boating and outdoor recreation.
Goal 6: Improve science, data collection and information dissemination to make informed management decisions.
Goal 7: Maintain or improve water quality and quantity to support the needs of fish, wildlife and recreation.
Goal 8: Continuously improve TPWD business management systems, business practices and work culture.

Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Mary Fields

Finance Committee
Financial Overview
April 4, 2007

I. Executive Summary: Staff will present a financial overview of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

II. Discussion:

Staff will update the Commission on revenue collected by TPWD for the first half of FY 2007, including state parks receipts, boat titling and registration revenue, and license sales revenue including the number of licenses sold.
Staff will review the revenue collected by fund (Game Fish and Water Safety Fund, State Park Fund, Local Park Fund, and Other).
Staff will compare the FY 2007 budget to FY 2007 expenditures for the first half of the fiscal year and summarize budget adjustments.

Committee Agenda Item No. 3
Presenter: Robert L. Cook

Finance Committee
Legislative Update
April 4, 2007

I. Executive Summary: Staff will present a legislative update for the 80th Texas Legislative Session for the Fiscal Year 2008 - 2009 Biennium.

II. Discussion:

Staff will provide updates regarding hearings and meetings with Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees.
Staff will discuss legislative issues and bills of interest to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.