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. That money shall be sent to the comptroller for deposit to the credit of the commercial license buyback subaccount in the game, fish, and water safety account.

(e) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1034 (H.B. 1724), Sec. 5(3), eff. September 1, 2017.

(f) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1034 (H.B. 1724), Sec. 5(3), eff. September 1, 2017.

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

Amended by:

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1034 (H.B. 1724), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1034 (H.B. 1724), Sec. 5(3), eff. September 1, 2017.