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House Bill 2096 |
House Author: Bonnen |
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Effective: 9-1-05 |
Senate Sponsor: Janek |
House Bill 2096 amends the Natural Resources and Parks and Wildlife Codes to address removal and disposal of abandoned and derelict vessels and structures to prevent oil spills and other pollution hazards. The bill defines what is considered a structure and expands the prohibition against leaving, abandoning, or maintaining certain vessels or structures in or on coastal waters, on public or private land, or at a public or private port or dock, without the consent of the commissioner of the General Land Office. Violation of the prohibition is a misdemeanor. The bill provides for the removal and disposal or sale of vessels and structures that meet the code's criteria and for recovering the cost of the removal, disposal, or sale. The bill requires any recovered costs, proceeds from sales, donations, grants, or gifts to be deposited into the coastal protection fund.