H.B. 1577 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1577
By: Gallego
Natural Resources
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 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.  Also,
these containers pollute the riverbeds if they are not properly disposed
of in trash bins. 

H.B. 1577 will create a safer environment on state-owned riverbeds by
prohibiting the possession of glass containers within their boundaries. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

Section 1(a) amends Subchapter C, Chapter 365 of the Health and Safety
Code by adding Section 365.035 to designate an offense if a person
possesses a glass container within the boundaries of a state-owned
riverbed.  This is a Class C misdemeanor unless the defendant has
previously been convicted of an offense under this section, in which it
becomes a Class B misdemeanor. 

Section 1(b) does not hold persons accountable for prosecution if they did
not transport the glass into the boundaries of the riverbed or if they
possessed the glass container for the purposes of lawfully disposing of
it. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003