BILL ANALYSIS
|
Senate Research Center |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Game wardens commissioned by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are trained in certain water-related search and rescue operations, and state maritime military volunteers have trained with the game wardens so the volunteers can assist with such operations in time of need. Given the expanse of Texas, partnership between game wardens and volunteers is very important in ensuring the health and safety of Texans in a time of need. H.B. 2138 seeks to ensure that game wardens conduct search and rescue operations for victims of water-oriented accidents and that state military forces are authorized to assist game wardens with such operations.
H.B. 2138 amends current law relating to the search for and rescue of victims of water-oriented accidents.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 31.121, Parks and Wildlife Code, by amending Subsections (a) and (e) and adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:
(a) Defines, in this section, "game warden" and "state military forces."
(a-1) Creates this subsection from existing text. Requires all peace officers of this state and game wardens, rather than all peace officers of this state and game wardens commissioned by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, to be certified as marine safety enforcement officers by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to enforce the provisions of this chapter by arresting and taking into custody any person who commits any act or offense prohibited by this chapter or who violates any provision of this chapter.
(e) Authorizes state military forces to assist game wardens in the search for and rescue of victims of water-oriented accidents, rather than authorizes game wardens to assist in the search for and rescue of victims of water-oriented accidents.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.