Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can anyone find the committee (and members of the committee) that sets the date for bills to be read on the floor of the house and to be put up for a vote?

We need to reach those representatives and try to push the reading/vote for this bill (2414) back as far as possible. The later this thing is heard in this legislative session, the later it passes the house, then the less time it has on the floor of the senate . . . and the less likely it is to become law. If we could get this thing pushed back into May (or later) we might be able to stall it so long that it dies . . .

Troy

I just learned about this development today. I read that the intent of the writer of this bill was to apply the restrictions narrowly to game and birds (?) Is the broader application to “wildlife” supported by the non-game section at TPW? Finally, is there anything I can do to help? Thanks.

RP

technically, TPWD is required by statute to be legislatively neutral. When I met with them 2 weeks ago and this bill was first brought to our attention, Director of LE David Sinclair was very careful to maintain a neutral stance.

The only hint that I have that TPWD wants this law is that way back when Matt Wagner was breifing the commission, one of the voices (I think it was Robert McDonald, TPWD legal) mentioned that one thing that they needed to address in the future was hunting from right-of-ways - however, I think that the intent behind that statement was to deal with this from a regulatory, in house standpoint, not legislatively.

Honestly, it has been my impression (especially recently) that TPWD wants the laws to be ambiguous and wants broad regulatory authority rather than narrowly defined legislation. That way they can make changes as the political climate changes by only asking the commission (and in some cases, by just saying "lets interpret it this way".

Troy

I posted a link above where everybody could read the text of the bill. It doesn't seem to pose a big problem to nongame wildlife if the text is current. Do you know if it's up-to-date?

RP

>>I posted a link above where everybody could read the text of the bill. It doesn't seem to pose a big problem to nongame wildlife if the text is current. Do you know if it's up-to-date?
>>
>>RP

No, the text will be amended to read "wildlife" or something similar. It's a problem.

Forky

Currently, no amendments are listed. Do you know who or what will be the source of this amendment? Thanks.

Robert

read posts by "saddleman" below . . . the changes were made after committee hearings. Note, your link on history states that amendments have been accepted.

Troy

Thanks. I read his two posts. I think I'm going to have to put in a call to Teresa, because now I'm getting nervous.

RP