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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the adoption of rules by the Parks and Wildlife |
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Commission to protect the public water of this state from the spread |
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of aquatic invasive species. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 66, Parks and Wildlife |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 66.0073 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 66.0073. RULES REQUIRING WATER TO BE DRAINED. (a) In |
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this section: |
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(1) "Public water" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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66.015. |
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(2) "Salt water" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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66.001. |
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(3) "Vessel" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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31.003. |
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(b) The commission may adopt rules requiring a person |
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leaving or approaching public water to drain from a vessel or |
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portable container on board the vessel any water that has been |
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collected from or has come in contact with public water. This |
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subsection does not apply to salt water. |
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(c) When promulgating rules described by Subsection (b), |
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the commission shall consider the effects on boaters, anglers, and |
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local interests while maintaining the ability to prevent the spread |
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of harmful or potentially harmful exotic fish, shellfish, and |
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aquatic plants. |
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(d) If the commission adopts rules described by Subsection |
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(b), an authorized employee of the department may inspect a vessel |
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leaving or approaching public water, including any portable |
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containers on board the vessel, for the presence of water. This |
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subsection does not apply to a vessel that is on public water. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |