Bill Text: TX HB4018 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Relating to the use of Parks and Wildlife Department land for carbon sequestration or similar ecosystem services projects.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-2)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-02 - Effective on 9/1/23 [HB4018 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB4018-Enrolled.html

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H.B. No. 4018

AN ACT
relating to the use of Parks and Wildlife Department land for carbon
sequestration or similar ecosystem services projects.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 11.032(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) The department shall deposit to the credit of the game,
fish, and water safety account all revenue, less allowable costs,
from the following sources:
(1) all types of fishing licenses and stamps and
shrimping licenses;
(2) all types of hunting licenses and stamps;
(3) trapping licenses and other licenses relating to
the taking, propagation, and sale of fur-bearing animals or their
pelts;
(4) sale of marl, sand, gravel, shell, and mudshell;
(5) oyster bed rentals and permits;
(6) federal funds received for fish and wildlife
research, management, development and conservation, resource
protection, and law enforcement, unless the funds are received for
the specific purposes of Subchapter F, Chapter 77;
(7) sale of property, less advertising costs,
purchased from this account or a special fund or account that is now
part of this account;
(8) fines and penalties collected for violations of a
law pertaining to the protection and conservation of wild birds,
wild fowl, wild animals, fish, shrimp, oysters, game birds and
animals, fur-bearing animals, alligators, and any other wildlife
resources of this state;
(9) sale of rough fish by the department;
(10) fees for importation permits;
(11) fees from supplying fish for or placing fish in
water located on private property;
(12) sale of seized pelts;
(13) sale or lease of grazing rights to and the
products from game preserves, sanctuaries, and management areas;
(14) contracts for the removal of fur-bearing animals
and reptiles from wildlife management areas;
(15) vessel registration fees;
(16) vessel manufacturer or dealer licensing fees;
(17) fines or penalties imposed by a court for
violation of water safety laws contained in Chapter 31 of this code;
(18) alligator hunter's or alligator buyer's licenses;
(19) sale of alligators or any part of an alligator by
the department;
(20) fees and revenue collected under Section
11.027(b) or (c) of this code that are associated with the
conservation of fish and wildlife;
(21) fees related to cultivated oyster mariculture;
(22) vessel and outboard motor titling fees;
(23) participation fees collected under Section
43.976; [and]
(24) money received by the department from carbon
sequestration or similar ecosystem services projects described by
Section 11.302(b)(1); and
(25) any other source provided by law.
SECTION 2. Section 11.035(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) The department shall deposit to the credit of the state
parks account all revenue, less allowable costs, received from the
following sources:
(1) grants or operation of concessions in state parks
or fishing piers;
(2) publications on state parks, state historic sites,
or state scientific areas;
(3) fines or penalties received from violations of
regulations governing parks issued pursuant to Subchapter B,
Chapter 13;
(4) fees and revenue collected under Section 11.027(b)
or (c) that are associated with state park lands;
(5) credits made to the department under Section
151.801, Tax Code, in an amount not to exceed the amount of the tax
proceeds allocated by the legislature to the account under Section
151.801(c-1), Tax Code, to be used only for the purposes provided by
that section; [and]
(6) money received by the department from carbon
sequestration or similar ecosystem services projects described by
Section 11.302(b)(2); and
(7) any other source provided by law.
SECTION 3. The heading to Subchapter L, Chapter 11, Parks
and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER L. USE [GRANT OR LEASE] OF DEPARTMENT LAND
SECTION 4. Subchapter L, Chapter 11, Parks and Wildlife
Code, is amended by adding Section 11.302 to read as follows:
Sec. 11.302. CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND SIMILAR ECOSYSTEM
SERVICES PROJECTS. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this
subsection, the department may enter into an agreement with a
public or private entity for the purpose of developing a
nature-based carbon sequestration or similar ecosystem services
project on department land. This subsection does not authorize the
department to enter into an agreement to develop a carbon dioxide
injection well on department land.
(b) Money received by the department from a carbon
sequestration or similar ecosystem services project under this
section shall be deposited:
(1) to the credit of the game, fish, and water safety
account, if the project is located on land primarily used for game
or fish conservation, protection, or management; and
(2) to the credit of the state parks account, if the
project is located on land primarily used for parks, recreation, or
historic sites.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4018 was passed by the House on April
26, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 126, Nays 18, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 4018 on May 15, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 133, Nays 9,
2 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4018 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 12, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays
2.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor