| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to inspection of and the operation of watercraft on the |
|
|
John Graves Scenic Riverway. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Subsection (b), Section 26.555, Water Code, is |
|
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
|
(b) A [The] visual inspection from an aircraft flying over |
|
|
the John Graves Scenic Riverway [inspections and the drawing of |
|
|
water samples] must be conducted at least once in a winter month and
|
|
|
at least once in a summer month. A [The] visual inspection and the |
|
|
drawing of water samples for testing [inspections] must be
|
|
|
conducted [both] from the surface of the [John Graves Scenic |
|
|
Riverway and from an aircraft flying over the] riverway at least |
|
|
once in a spring month and at least once in a fall month.
|
|
|
SECTION 2. Subchapter M, Chapter 26, Water Code, is amended |
|
|
by adding Section 26.563 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 26.563. CERTAIN CRAFT PROHIBITED. (a) The commission |
|
|
by rule shall prohibit the commercial or recreational use of the |
|
|
following craft on the waters of the John Graves Scenic Riverway: |
|
|
(1) airboats, fanboats, and similar shallow draft |
|
|
watercraft that use an aircraft-type propeller for propulsion; and |
|
|
(2) hovercraft. |
|
|
(b) A rule adopted under this section must allow for the |
|
|
operation of craft described by Subsection (a) for: |
|
|
(1) a visual inspection conducted under Section |
|
|
26.555; or |
|
|
(2) law enforcement purposes. |
|
|
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, 2011. |