S.B. No. 505
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to painting and marking requirements for certain
  meteorological evaluation towers; creating an offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 21.071 to read as follows:
         Sec. 21.071.  PAINTING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN
  METEOROLOGICAL EVALUATION TOWERS; OFFENSE. (a)  In this section,
  "meteorological evaluation tower" means a structure that:
               (1)  is self-standing or supported by guy wires and
  anchors;
               (2)  is not more than six feet in diameter at the base
  of the structure; and
               (3)  has accessory facilities on which an antenna,
  sensor, camera, meteorological instrument, or other equipment is
  mounted for the purpose of documenting whether a site has
  sufficient wind resources for the operation of a wind turbine
  generator.
         (b)  For purposes of this section, "meteorological
  evaluation tower" does not include a structure that is located:
               (1)  adjacent to a building, including a barn, or an
  electric utility substation; or
               (2)  in the curtilage of a residence.
         (c)  A meteorological evaluation tower that is at least 50
  feet but not more than 200 feet in height above ground level:
               (1)  must be painted in equal alternating bands of
  aviation orange and white, beginning with orange at the top of the
  tower;
               (2)  must have aviation orange marker balls installed
  and displayed in accordance with the standards contained in 76 Fed.
  Reg. 36983 (June 24, 2011) and Federal Aviation Administration
  Advisory Circular AC 70/7460-1K; and
               (3)  may not be supported by guy wires unless the guy
  wires have a seven-foot-long safety sleeve at each anchor point
  that extends from the anchor point along each guy wire attached to
  the anchor point.
         (d)  A person who owns, operates, or erects a meteorological
  evaluation tower in violation of this section commits an offense.
  An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor, except
  that the offense is a Class B misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial
  of the offense that as a result of the commission of the offense a
  collision with the meteorological evaluation tower occurred
  causing bodily injury or death to another person.
         (e)  The department shall adopt rules to implement and
  administer this section, including rules requiring a person:
               (1)  who owns, operates, or erects a meteorological
  evaluation tower to provide notice to the department of the
  existence of or intent to erect a meteorological evaluation tower;
  and 
               (2)  to register the meteorological evaluation tower
  with the department.
         SECTION 2.  The Texas Department of Transportation shall
  adopt rules required to implement and administer Section 21.071,
  Transportation Code, as added by this Act, not later than December
  31, 2015.
         SECTION 3.  (a)  Except as provided by this section, Section
  21.071, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, applies to a
  meteorological evaluation tower erected before, on, or after the
  effective date of this Act.
         (b)  A meteorological evaluation tower erected before the
  effective date of this Act is not required to comply with the
  painting and marking requirements of Section 21.071,
  Transportation Code, as added by this Act, until September 1, 2016.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 505 passed the Senate on
  April 7, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 505 passed the House on
  May 6, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, two present
  not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor