Sec. 47.016.  MENHADEN FISH PLANT LICENSE.  (a)  No person may operate a menhaden fish plant unless he has obtained a menhaden fish plant license.
(b)  Applications for a menhaden fish plant license must be submitted on forms prescribed by the department and accompanied by a filing fee.  The filing fee is $100 or an amount set by the commission, whichever amount is more.  The filing fee shall be accompanied by a certified copy of an order of the commissioners court of the county in which the plant will be located containing:
(1)  a description of the plant and its location;  and
(2)  approval of the court for the construction and operation of the plant.
(c)  Decisions of the commissioners court in approving or disapproving the construction of a plant are final and may not be reviewed or appealed.
(d)  A menhaden fish plant license shall be issued after a hearing and a finding by the department that the construction and operation of the plant is in the public interest.  Regardless of the decision of the department, the filing fee is not refundable.
(e)  Notice of the hearing must be given at least 20 days prior to the date set for the hearing to the county judge of the county in which the plant is to be constructed and to all known interested parties.
Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 1335, ch. 277, Sec. 34, eff. Sept. 1, 1983;  Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 2, Sec. 48, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.