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House Bill 1044 |
House Author: Eiland |
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Effective: 9-1-13 |
Senate Sponsor: Williams |
House Bill 1044 amends the Transportation Code, Natural Resources Code, and Parks and Wildlife Code to authorize an operator of an all-terrain vehicle to drive the vehicle on a beach that is open to motor vehicle traffic, except as provided by statutory provisions governing public beaches and dunes. Subject to the same exceptions, the bill authorizes a person who is authorized to operate an all-terrain vehicle owned by the state, a county, or a municipality to drive the all-terrain vehicle on any beach if the vehicle is registered. The bill requires a person operating an all-terrain vehicle on a beach to hold and have in the person's possession a driver's license or a commercial driver's license and makes certain statutory provisions relating to the operation of an all-terrain vehicle on public property applicable to the operation of such a vehicle on a beach. The bill authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) or a county or municipality to prohibit the operation of an all-terrain vehicle on a beach if TxDOT or the governing body determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.