Bill Text: TX HCR75 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Designating Hemphill as the official Bass Fishing Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 2)
Status: (Passed) 2025-05-28 - Signed by the Governor [HCR75 Detail]
Download: Texas-2025-HCR75-Enrolled.html
| H.C.R. No. 75 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Nestled in the beautiful Piney Woods of East Texas, | ||
| the city of Hemphill is renowned in the Lone Star State and beyond | ||
| as a premier destination for bass fishing; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The seat of Sabine County, Hemphill is situated | ||
| between Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Sabine River and Sam Rayburn | ||
| Reservoir on the Angelina River; these two immensely popular | ||
| locations regularly rank near the top in ratings of bass fishing | ||
| sites, and in recent years, each has been recognized as the best | ||
| bass fishing lake in the nation by Bassmaster Magazine; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The reservoirs contain a variety of fish species but | ||
| are best known for their thriving populations of largemouth bass; | ||
| an analysis of fishing tournament results published in Texas Parks | ||
| and Wildlife noted that the lakes were among the state's best in | ||
| terms of the size and availability of bass, and the reservoirs | ||
| attract legions of recreational and professional anglers seeking | ||
| trophy catches; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Serving as the hub of this prime fishing area, | ||
| Hemphill is home to marinas, bait and tackle shops, guide services, | ||
| restaurants, hotels, and a host of other enterprises catering to | ||
| visitors; these fishing-related businesses help drive the local | ||
| economy, and the city has a deep and long-lasting connection to the | ||
| culture of the outdoors; residents of Hemphill and the wider region | ||
| demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation and responsible | ||
| fishing practices, and through their dedicated environmental | ||
| stewardship, they are working to ensure that water resources are | ||
| protected and preserved for future generations; and | ||
| WHEREAS, That mission is furthered by the public agencies | ||
| that help oversee the reservoirs; these include the Texas Parks and | ||
| Wildlife Department, which manages the stocking of fish and guides | ||
| vegetation management for both lakes, and the Sabine River | ||
| Authority of Texas, which has helped install fish habitat | ||
| structures in Toledo Bend Reservoir and is developing new | ||
| facilities, such as Sabinetown Park, a world-class venue for | ||
| fishing tournaments, boating, and other recreational activities; | ||
| and | ||
| WHEREAS, Bass fishing is integral to the heritage and | ||
| prosperity of Hemphill, and the sport has brought the city a level | ||
| of national acclaim that is a source of pride to all Texans; now, | ||
| therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
| hereby designate Hemphill as the official Bass Fishing Capital of | ||
| Texas; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of | ||
| Section 391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in | ||
| effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is | ||
| finally passed by the legislature. | ||
| Shofner | ||
| ______________________________ | ______________________________ | |
| President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | |
| I certify that H.C.R. No. 75 was adopted by the House on May | ||
| 1, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 119, Nays 22, 5 present, not | ||
| voting. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
| I certify that H.C.R. No. 75 was adopted by the Senate on May | ||
| 14, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| APPROVED: __________________ | ||
| Date | ||
| __________________ | ||
| Governor | ||
