By:  Lucio                                                        S.B. No. 487


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to structures on coastal public land.                                
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 33.115, Natural Resources Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 33.115.  PIERS.  (a)  Without obtaining an easement 
from the board, the owner of littoral property may construct a pier 
on adjacent coastal public land which:
		(1)  may be used for any purpose except commercial 
purposes;                
		(2)  is 115 feet or less in length and 25 feet or less in 
width; and,       
		(3)  requires no filling or dredging.                                         
	(b)  In addition to the provisions of Subsection (a), the 
board may adopt rules with limitations and requirements that are 
consistent with the policies stated in Section 33.001 of this Code 
that allow an owner of littoral property to construct a pier with 
associated appurtenances on adjacent coastal public land without 
first obtaining an easement from the board.
	(c)  The location and dimensions of the pier and description 
of any associated appurtenances must be registered with the board 
in the manner provided in this chapter.
	SECTION 2.  Effective Date.  This Act takes effect 
___________________, 2005, 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 effect on that date, this Act takes effect 
September 1, 2005.