H.B. No. 883




AN ACT

relating to the disposition of abandoned watercraft and the 
construction of, and donation of materials for, artificial reefs.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 89, Parks and Wildlife 
Code, is amended by adding Sections 89.0025 and 89.006 to read as 
follows:
	Sec. 89.0025.  RULES.  The commission may adopt rules and 
guidelines as necessary to implement this chapter.
	Sec. 89.006.  REEF CONSTRUCTION BY OTHERS.  The department 
may authorize a person to place a donation of reef materials in a 
permitted zone in accordance with this chapter and commission rules 
and guidelines.
	SECTION 2.  Section 683.014, Transportation Code, is amended 
by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as 
follows:
	(a)  If an abandoned motor vehicle, watercraft, or outboard 
motor is not claimed under Section 683.012:
		(1)  the owner or lienholder:                                                 
			(A)  waives all rights and interests in the item; 
and                      
			(B)  consents to the sale of the item by public 
auction or the transfer of the item, if a watercraft, as provided by 
Subsection (d); and
		(2)  the law enforcement agency may sell the item at a 
public auction, transfer the item, if a watercraft, as provided by 
Subsection (d), or use the item as provided by Section 683.016.
	(d)  On consent of the Parks and Wildlife Department, the law 
enforcement agency may transfer a watercraft that is not claimed 
under Section 683.012 to the Parks and Wildlife Department for use 
as part of an artificial reef under Chapter 89, Parks and Wildlife 
Code, or for other use by the Parks and Wildlife Department 
permitted under the Parks and Wildlife Code.  On transfer of the 
watercraft, the Parks and Wildlife Department:
		(1)  takes title free and clear of all liens and claims 
of ownership; and
		(2)  is entitled to register the watercraft and receive 
a certificate of title.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.B. No. 883 was passed by the House on April 
21, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 142, Nays O, 1 present, not 
voting.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	I certify that H.B. No. 883 was passed by the Senate on May 
12, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Secretary of the Senate    



APPROVED:  _____________________                                            
 
                   Date                                                      




 
          _____________________                                          
 
                 Governor