Finance Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.
May 26, 2010

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Commission Hearing Room
4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas

Commissioner Antonio Falcon, M.D., Committee Chair
Gene McCarty, Committee Liaison

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

  1. Update on TPWD Progress in Implementing the TPWD Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan
    Staff:  Carter Smith
    • Delivery of Internal Affairs Report
    • License Sales Improve
    • TxParks Rollout
    • Marine Enforcement Funding
  2. Financial Overview
    — FY 2010 Revenue and Budget Status
    — Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR)
    — Natural Agenda Update
    Staff:  Mike Jensen, Julie Horsley
  3. Fee Schedule Rules  – Deer Breeder Renewal Fees, Miscellaneous Corrections and Clean Up  – Recommended Adoption of Proposed Changes (Action Item No. 2)
    Staff:  Julie Horsley
  4. Advisory Committees – Request Permission to Publish Proposed Changes in the Texas Register
    Staff:  Ann Bright

Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter:  Carter Smith

Finance Committee
Update on TPWD Progress in Implementing the
TPWD Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan
May 26, 2010

I.      Executive Summary:  Executive Director Carter Smith 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 77th 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 2002, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) adopted the first Plan.  A revised Plan was adopted by the Commission in January 2005.  In November 2009, the Commission approved a new Plan effective January 1, 2010.  The 2010 Plan is available on the TPWD web site.  Executive Director Carter Smith will update the Finance Committee on TPWD’s recent progress in achieving the Plan’s goals, objectives and deliverables as they relate to the Finance Committee.

The Plan consists of the following four goals:

  1. Practice, Encourage and Enable Science-based Stewardship of Natural and Cultural Resources
  2. Increase Access To and Participation In the Outdoors
  3. Educate, Inform and Engage Texas Citizens in Support of Conservation and Recreation
  4. Employ Efficient, Sustainable and Sound Business Practices

Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenters:  Mike Jensen
Julie Horsley

Finance Committee
Financial Overview
May 26, 2010

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

II.     Discussion:


Committee Item No. 4
Presenter:  Ann Bright

Finance Committee
Advisory Committees
Permission to Publish Proposed Rules in the Texas Register
May 26, 2010

I.       Executive Summary:  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff is requesting permission to publish in the Texas Register for public comment a proposed rule to extend the duration of agency advisory committees for four years.

II.     Discussion:  Section 11.0162 of the Parks and Wildlife Code authorizes the Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) to “appoint committees to advise the Commission on issues under its jurisdiction.” Chapter 2110 of the Texas Government Code requires that rules be adopted regarding each state agency advisory committee.  Unless otherwise provided by specific statute, the rules must (1) state the purpose of the committee; (2) describe the manner in which the committee will report to the agency;  and (3) establish the date on which the committee will automatically be abolished, unless the advisory committee has a specific duration established by statute.  Other requirements for advisory committees include an annual evaluation, a membership limit of 24 members, balanced membership representation, the selection of a presiding officer by members, and a four-year duration unless otherwise provided by rule.

In August 2009, the Commission adopted a one-year extension of the advisory committees for the TPWD and the Commission that will expire September 30, 2010.  Staff is recommending that a rule be published in the Texas Register for public comment that would extend TPWD advisory committees for four years.


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