Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the sale, trade, or possession of shark fins in Texas, effective July 1, 2014.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from buying, selling, or possessing a shark fin (Sec. 2).

• Defines “shark fin” as the fresh, cooked, frozen, dried, or processed fin or tail of a shark (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this bill does not apply to shark fin caught outside the state and transported, without being unloaded, through the state to a location outside the state (Sec. 2). 

• Exempts individuals with a permit from the Department of Parks and Wildlife from the possession, transport, sale or purchase of shark fin for scientific research purposes (Sec. 2).

• Classifies a violation of the provisions of this bill as a Class B Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor and as a Class A Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor if the individual is convicted within 5 years before the trial date of a violation (Sec. 3).

• Rep. Dwayne Bohac is not listed on our vote breakdown because his vote did not accurately reflect his intentions; he initially voted "Yea" but changed his vote to "Nay" after the roll call.

• Rep. Thomas Craddick is not listed on our vote breakdown because his vote did not accurately reflect his intentions; he initially voted "Yea" but changed his vote to "Nay" after the roll call.

• Rep. Lance Gooden is not listed on our vote breakdown because his vote did not accurately reflect his intentions; he initially voted "Yea" but changed his vote to "Nay" after the roll call.

• Rep. Harvey Hilderbran is not listed on our vote breakdown because his vote did not accurately reflect his intentions; he initially voted "Yea" but changed his vote to "Nay" after the roll call.

• Rep. Tracy King is not listed on our vote breakdown because her vote did not accurately reflect her intentions; she initially voted "Yea" but changed her vote to "Nay" after the roll call.

• Rep. Joe Moody voted "Yea" after the roll call.

• Rep. Four Price IV voted "Nay" after the roll call.

• Rep. James White is not listed on our vote breakdown because his vote did not accurately reflect his intentions; he initially voted "Yea" but changed his vote to "Nay" after the roll call.

Full Bill Text