AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
H.B. 673 requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to produce a recreational water safety video suitable for high school students. The video must include instruction on safe participation in recreational activities in, on, or around the lakes, rivers, and coastal waters of this state.
TPWD will notify the Texas Education Agency (TEA) when the video is available for TEA use and TPWD may also edit the content of the recreational water safety video to produce a boater education video that complies with the federal standards for boating education courses.
H.B. 673 amends current law relating to the production and use of an instructional video on recreational water safety.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to Texas Education Agency in SECTION 2 (Section 29.9021, Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 12, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding Section 12.012, as follows:
Sec. 12.012. RECREATIONAL WATER SAFETY VIDEO. (a) Requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to produce a video suitable for use with high school students on recreational water safety. Requires that the video include instruction on safe participation in recreational activities in, on, or around the lakes, rivers, and coastal waters of this state.
(b) Requires TPWD to notify the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in writing when the recreational water safety video is available for TEA's use.
(c) Authorizes TPWD to edit the content of the recreational water safety video to produce a boater education video that complies with federal standards for boating education courses published by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, by adding Section 29.9021, as follows:
Sec. 29.9021. WATER SAFETY EDUCATION. Requires TEA by rule to incorporate a curriculum module on recreational water safety into driver education instruction using the video on recreational water safety produced under Section 12.012, Parks and Wildlife Code, when TEA is notified that the video is available.
SECTION 3. Requires TPWD to produce the recreational water safety video described by Section 12.012, Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by this Act, as soon as production costs can be paid from money identified as available for that purpose in TPWD's operating budget.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.