| TO: | Honorable Kenneth Armbrister, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB883 by Seaman (Relating to the disposition of abandoned watercraft and the construction of, and donation of materials for, artificial reefs.), As Engrossed |
The bill would amend Chapter 89 of the Parks and Wildlife Code and Chapter 683 of the Transportation Code relating to the disposition of abandoned watercraft and the construction of, and donation of materials for, artificial reefs. The bill would authorize the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to allow private individuals, groups, or associations to deploy artificial reef material under guidelines and rules adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. The bill would also authorize a law enforcement agency to transfer abandoned watercraft TPWD for use as part of an artificial reef or for another use by TPWD as permitted under the Parks and Wildlife Code, on consent of TPWD. TPWD indicates current staff will develop procedures to monitor the guidelines, transfers and deployments required under the bill, resulting in no significant fiscal implication to the state.
The bill would take immediate effect if the bill receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by the Texas Constitution. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2005.
| Source Agencies: | 802 Parks and Wildlife Department
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, WK, ZS, TB
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