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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to identification numbers on vessels. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 31.021(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) No person may operate or give permission for the |
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operation of any vessel or may dock, moor, or store a vessel owned |
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by the person on the water of this state unless: |
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(1) the vessel is numbered as required by this |
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chapter; |
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(2) the certificate of number awarded to the vessel is |
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in full force and effect; and |
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(3) the identifying number set forth in the |
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certificate is properly displayed on [each side of the bow of] the |
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vessel as required by this chapter. |
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SECTION 2. The heading to Section 31.032, Parks and |
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Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 31.032. NUMBERING LOCATION AND VISIBILITY; EXEMPTION; |
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DECAL [ON BOW]. |
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SECTION 3. Section 31.032, Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection |
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(a-1) to read as follows: |
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(a) The owner of a vessel shall paint on or attach to each |
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side of the forward half of the vessel [near the bow] the |
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identification number and a registration [validation] decal in the |
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manner prescribed by the department. The number shall read from |
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left to right and shall be of block characters of good proportion of |
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not less than three inches in height. The numbers shall be of a |
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color which will contrast with the hull material of the vessel and |
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so maintained as to be clearly visible and legible. |
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(a-1) On a vessel configured so that a number on the hull or |
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superstructure is not easily visible, the number must be painted on |
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or attached to a backing plate that is attached to the forward half |
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of the vessel so that the number is visible from each side of the |
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vessel. |
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(c) The commission shall adopt rules for the placement of |
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the registration [validation] decal in an alternate location for |
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antique boats. In this subsection, "antique boat" means a boat |
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that: |
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(1) is used primarily for recreational purposes; and |
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(2) was manufactured 35 or more years before the date |
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the registration [validation] decal is issued. |
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SECTION 4. Sections 31.033(a) and (b), Parks and Wildlife |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) No person may paint, attach, or otherwise display on the |
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forward half [either side of the bow] of a vessel a number other |
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than the number awarded to the vessel or granted reciprocity under |
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this chapter. |
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(b) No person may deface or alter the certificate of number |
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or the number assigned to and appearing on [the bow of] a vessel. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |