Sec. 78.111. LICENSE BUYBACK

(a) The department may implement a license buyback program as part of the crab license management program established by this subchapter.

(b) The commission by rule may establish criteria, using reasonable classifications, by which the department selects licenses to be purchased. The commission may delegate to the executive director, for purposes of this section only, the authority to develop the criteria through rulemaking procedures, but the commission by order must finally adopt the rules establishing the criteria. The commission or executive director must consult with the crab license management review board concerning establishment of the criteria.

(c) The commission must retire each license purchased under the license buyback program until the commission finds that management of the crab fishery allows reissue of those licenses through auction or lottery.

(d) The department shall set aside at least 20 percent of the fee from commercial crab licenses and transfer fees to be used only for the purpose of buying back commercial crab licenses from a willing license holder. That money shall be sent to the comptroller for deposit to the credit of the game, fish, and water safety account.

(e) The department may accept grants and donations of money or materials from private or public sources for the purpose of buying back commercial crab licenses from a willing license holder and shall send the accepted money or material to the comptroller for deposit to the credit of the game, fish, and water safety account to be used only for the purpose of buying back commercial crab licenses from a willing license holder.

(f) Money to be used for the purpose of buying back commercial crab licenses is not subject to Section 403.095, Government Code.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1256, Sec. 127, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.