1-1     By:  Noriega (Senate Sponsor - Brown)                 H.B. No. 2719
 1-2           (In the Senate - Received from the House May 9, 2001;
 1-3     May 10, 2001, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural
 1-4     Resources; May 11, 2001, reported favorably by the following vote:
 1-5     Yeas 4, Nays 0; May 11, 2001, sent to printer.)
 1-6                            A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-7                                   AN ACT
 1-8     relating to the use of obsolete bridges, tunnels, and causeways to
 1-9     create artificial reefs.
1-10           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-11           SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 89, Parks and Wildlife Code,
1-12     is amended by adding Section 89.005 to read as follows:
1-13           Sec. 89.005.  USE OF BRIDGES, TUNNELS, AND CAUSEWAYS. (a)
1-14     The Texas Department of Transportation shall coordinate with the
1-15     department and local governments to use obsolete bridges, tunnels,
1-16     and causeways to create artificial reefs under this chapter.
1-17           (b)  The Texas Department of Transportation may transfer
1-18     obsolete bridges, tunnels, and causeways to the department to
1-19     create artificial reefs.
1-20           (c)  The department may provide assistance, including money,
1-21     to a local government to fulfill the purposes of this section.
1-22           (d)  Any money appropriated to the department for the
1-23     artificial reef program under this chapter may be used for the
1-24     purposes of this section.
1-25           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-26     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-27     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-28     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-29     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
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