Section 53.18 - License Issuance Procedures, Fees, Possession, and Exemption Rules - Provisions for Digital Products(a) The provisions of this section are in addition to the provisions of § 53.2 of this title (relating to License Issuance Procedures, Fees, Possession, and Exemption Rules) and to the extent that any provision of this section conflicts with the provisions of § 53.2 of this title, this section controls.(b) Hunting license possession. A person may hunt in this state without having a valid physical hunting license in immediate possession if that person has acquired a license electronically and has a receipt, notification, or application data from the department on a smart phone, computer, tablet, or similar device indicating acquisition of a digital license described in § 53.3(a)(12) of this title (relating to Combination Hunting and Fishing License Packages), § 53.4 of this title (relating to Lifetime Licenses), or § 53.5(a)(3) of this title (relating to Recreational Hunting Licenses, Stamps, and Tags).(c) Fishing license possession.(1) A person may fish in this state without having a valid physical fishing license in immediate possession if that person has acquired a license electronically and has a receipt, notification, or application data from the department on a smart phone, computer, tablet, or similar device indicating acquisition of a digital license described in § 53.3(a)(12) of this title or § 53.4 of this title.(2) A person may catch and retain a red drum over 28 inches in length in the coastal waters of this state without having a valid fishing license, saltwater sportfishing stamp, and valid red drum tag in immediate possession, if the person has:(A) obtained a valid digital exempt angler red drum tag; or(B) purchased a valid digital license described in § 53.3(a)(12) of this title or a valid license with digital tags under 53.4 of this title.(3) A person may catch and retain a spotted seatrout 28 inches or greater in length in the coastal waters of this state without having a valid fishing license, saltwater sportfishing stamp, and valid spotted seatrout tag in immediate possession, if the person has:(A) obtained a valid digital exempt angler spotted seatrout tag; or(B) purchased a valid digital license described in § 53.3(a)(12) of this title or a valid license with digital tags under 53.4 of this title.(d) Issuance of licenses, stamp endorsements, and tags electronically (on-line or by telephone).(1) A person may acquire a tag electronically from the department by agreeing to pay a convenience fee of up to $5 in addition to the normal tag fee, if a fee is required. This fee shall not be charged if the tag is acquired in the same transaction with a license.(2) The fees established by this subsection apply to the electronic acquisition of a digital license, stamp endorsement, or tag identified in § 53.3(a)(12) of this title, 53.4 of this title, § 53.5(a)(3) of this title, or § 53.6 of this title (relating to Recreational Fishing Licenses, Stamps, and Tags).31 Tex. Admin. Code § 53.18
Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 48, Number 30, July 28, 2023, TexReg 4120, eff. 8/15/2023; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 49, Number 33, August 16, 2024, TexReg 6242, eff. 9/1/2024