SRC-JEC H.B. 2405 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2405 77R5423 PAM-DBy: Gray (Bernsen) Intergovernmental Relations 5/9/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE On the Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston County there have been repeated incidents of people organizing mass gatherings. The Bolivar Peninsula is an unincorporated area and is not subject to many county regulations. Due to lack of regulation, these gatherings have resulted in large amounts of trash being deposited on the beach, and raised issues relating to security of the area, including reported acts of violence. H.B. 2405 authorizes the commissioners court of a county bordering on the Gulf of Mexico to regulate mass gatherings of individuals on any beach in the unincorporated area of the county. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 61, Natural Resources Code, by adding Subchapter G, as follows: SUBCHAPTER G. PERMITS FOR MASS GATHERINGS Sec. 61.251. DEFINITION. Defines "mass gathering." Sec. 61.252. PERMIT REQUIREMENTS. (a) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county bordering on the Gulf of Mexico or its tidewater limits, by order, in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, to regulate mass gatherings of individuals on any beach in the unincorporated area of the county by requiring a person to obtain a permit and pay a permit fee set by the commissioners court before the person may hold a mass gathering. (b) Requires a commissioners court that requires a permit under this subchapter to adopt procedures governing the application for and issuance of a permit under this subchapter. Authorizes the commissioners court to require the holder of the permit to take reasonable specified actions to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. Sec. 61.253. INJUNCTION. Entitles the county to appropriate injunctive relief to prevent the violation or threatened violation of an order adopted under this subchapter. Sec. 61.254. CRIMINAL PENALTY. Provides that a person commits an offense if the person violates an order adopted under this chapter. Provides that an offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.