BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 2622

                                                                                                                                          By: Phillips

                                                                                                          Culture, Recreation, & Tourism

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Boater Education Course requirements are addressed in three sections of the Texas Water Safety Act (Chapter 31, Parks & Wildlife Code).  These sections contain slightly different text and cause frequent confusion for the public, the enforcement officers, and the courts.  H.B. 2622 repeals two of the sections, leaving section 31.109 as the only reference to Boater Education Course requirements, minimizing confusion or conflict.

 

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.         Amends Sec. 31.106(a), Parks & Wildlife Code by deleting sub-section (5) that addresses boating safety course requirements for Personal Watercraft operators.

 

SECTION 2.         Repeals Section 31.107, Parks & Wildlife Code, addressing boating safety course requirements for motorboat operators.

 

                              Repeals Section 31.131(b) Parks & Wildlife Code, designating a Class A misdemeanor penalty for a person who fails to complete a boating safety course within 90 days.

 

SECTION 3.         This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.

 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2005