AUSTIN – Today, the Texas House passed House Bill 1260 by State Representative Dade Phelan, which creates a new occupational license for non-Texas commercial shrimpers for the unloading of shrimp.

Currently, Texas has a moratorium on commercial Gulf shrimper licenses, meaning no new licenses are being issues and haven’t been issued in several years. The shrimpers being referred to in HB 1260 are the more than 500 out-of-state Gulf shrimpers who are currently not allowed to come into Texas waters without a license.

“HB 1260 opens up the Texas seafood market to 7 million pounds of Gulf shrimp and over $100 million in economic activity for the state of Texas”, Representative Phelan stated. “The ability for non-Texas shrimpers to unload in Texas also means that they will refuel, gather supplies, and perform maintenance on their boats, providing more jobs and generating sales tax revenue that will positively impact the coast.”

The revenue from the fee for a commercial Gulf shrimp unloading license for non-Texas shrimpers will go to the Department of Agriculture for the GO TEXAN Shrimp program which represents Texas agri-business on state, national and international levels by building recognition for the GO TEXAN mark and helping consumers find Texas products.

Representative Phelan is serving his second term in the Texas House of Representatives. He proudly serves House District 21, representing both Jefferson and Orange Counties. He serves as a Member of the Appropriations Committee, Calendars Committee, the Select Committee on Texas Ports & Infrastructure, and serves as Vice-Chair of the Natural Resources Committee.