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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the use of lifeguards and informational signs to |
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improve safety on public beaches. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 61.065, Natural Resources Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) As part of the duty under this section to clean and |
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maintain the condition of public beaches, a municipality shall: |
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(1) during reasonable daylight hours for the months of |
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March through November, provide occupied lifeguard towers on each |
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side of each pier, jetty, or other structure that protrudes into the |
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Gulf of Mexico that is located within the corporate boundaries; and |
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(2) post within 100 yards of each side of each |
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structure described by Subdivision (1) signs clearly describing the |
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dangerous water conditions that may occur near the structure. |
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SECTION 2. Section 61.066, Natural Resources Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 61.066. DUTY OF COUNTY. (a) It is the duty and |
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responsibility of the commissioners court of any county located or |
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bordering on the Gulf of Mexico to clean and maintain the condition |
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of all public beaches located inside the county but outside the |
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boundaries of any incorporated city located or bordering on the |
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Gulf of Mexico and all public beaches owned by the county and |
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located inside the boundaries of an incorporated city, town, or |
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village. |
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(b) As part of the duty under this section to clean and |
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maintain the condition of public beaches, a county shall: |
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(1) during reasonable daylight hours for the months of |
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March through November, provide occupied lifeguard towers on each |
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side of each pier, jetty, or other structure that protrudes into the |
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Gulf of Mexico that is located on a public beach described by |
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Subsection (a); and |
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(2) post within 100 yards of each side of each |
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structure described by Subdivision (1) signs clearly describing the |
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dangerous water conditions that may occur near the structure. |
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SECTION 3. Section 61.067, Natural Resources Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (a-2) to read as follows: |
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(a-2) As part of the duty under this section to clean and |
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maintain the condition of public beaches located within state |
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parks, the department shall: |
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(1) during reasonable daylight hours for the months of |
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March through November, provide occupied lifeguard towers on each |
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side of each pier, jetty, or other structure that protrudes into the |
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Gulf of Mexico that is located within a state park; and |
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(2) post within 100 yards of each side of each |
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structure described by Subdivision (1) signs clearly describing the |
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dangerous water conditions that may occur near the structure. |
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SECTION 4. Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Parks and Wildlife |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 13.023 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 13.023. LIFEGUARDS AND SIGNAGE IN CERTAIN AREAS. The |
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department shall: |
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(1) during reasonable daylight hours for the months of |
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March through November, provide occupied lifeguard towers on each |
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side of each pier, jetty, or other structure that protrudes into the |
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Gulf of Mexico that is located within a state park; and |
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(2) post within 100 yards of each side of each |
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structure described by Subdivision (1) signs clearly describing the |
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dangerous water conditions that may occur near the structure. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |