SRC-JLB S.B. 694 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 694 78R5550 MXM-DBy: Janek Natural Resources 3/4/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, unincorporated areas along the Texas coast lack the regulatory authority to prohibit open fires on public beaches. As proposed, S.B. 694 authorizes the county commissioners court in such areas to prohibit open fires on the beach. 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 Section 61.122, Natural Resources Code, by adding Subsection (f) to authorize the commissioners court of a county bordering on the Gulf of Mexico or its tidewater limits, by order, to prohibit open fires on a beach in the unincorporated area of the county. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.