SRC-JLB H.B. 1577 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1577 78R4754 JTS-DBy: Gallego (Hinojosa) Natural Resources 5/21/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Swimmers, anglers, paddlers, and campers are potentially at risk from an injury from broken glass that may be in the state's riverbeds. These containers also pollute the riverbeds if they are not properly disposed of in trash bins. H.B. 1577 prohibits the possession of a glass container within certain riverbed boundaries. 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 Subchapter C, Chapter 365, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 365.035, as follows: Sec. 365.035. PROHIBITION ON GLASS CONTAINERS WITHIN BOUNDARY OF STATE-OWNED RIVERBED; PENALTIES. (a) Provides that a person commits an offense if the person possesses a glass container within the boundaries of a state-owned riverbed. Provides that an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor unless it is shown on the trial of the defendant that the defendant has previously been convicted of an offense under this section, in which case the offense is a Class B misdemeanor. (b) Provides that it is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that the person who possessed the glass container did not transport the glass container into the boundaries of the riverbed and possessed the glass container only for the purpose of lawfully disposing of the glass container in a designated waste receptacle. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.