H.B. No. 1044
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the operation of all-terrain vehicles and recreational
  off-highway vehicles; creating an offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 63.002, Natural Resources Code, is
  amended by amending Subdivision (4) and adding Subdivisions (4-a)
  and (4-b) to read as follows:
               (4)  "Recreational vehicle" means a dune buggy, marsh
  buggy, minibike, trail bike, jeep, all-terrain vehicle,
  recreational off-highway vehicle, or any other mechanized vehicle
  that is being used for recreational purposes, but does not include a
  [any] vehicle that is not being used for recreational purposes.
               (4-a)  "All-terrain vehicle" has the meaning assigned
  by Section 502.001, Transportation Code.
               (4-b)  "Recreational off-highway vehicle" has the
  meaning assigned by Section 502.001, Transportation Code.
         SECTION 2.  Section 29.001, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "off-highway
  vehicle" means:
               (1)  an all-terrain vehicle, as defined by Section
  502.001 [663.001], Transportation Code;
               (2)  an off-highway motorcycle;
               (3)  a recreational off-highway vehicle, as defined by
  Section 502.001, Transportation Code; and
               (4)  any other motorized vehicle used for off-highway
  recreation on:
                     (A)  public land over which the department has
  authority or on land purchased or leased by the department; or
                     (B)  land acquired or developed under a grant made
  under Section 29.008 or any other grant program operated or
  administered by the department.
         SECTION 3.  Sections 502.140(b) and (e), Transportation
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The state, a county, or a municipality may register an
  all-terrain vehicle or a recreational off-highway vehicle that is
  owned by the state, county, or municipality for operation on a
  public beach or highway to maintain public safety and welfare.
         (e)  An [Operation of an] all-terrain vehicle or
  recreational off-highway vehicle that is owned by the state, a
  county, or a municipality and operated in compliance with Section
  663.037 does not require registration under Subsection (b).
         SECTION 4.  Section 663.001, Transportation Code, is amended
  by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as
  follows:
               (1)  "All-terrain vehicle" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 502.001 [means a motor vehicle that is:
                     [(A)  equipped with a saddle for the use of:
                           [(i)  the rider; and
                           [(ii)     a passenger, if the motor vehicle is
  designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger;
                     [(B)     designed to propel itself with three or four
  tires in contact with the ground;
                     [(C)     designed by the manufacturer for
  off-highway use by the operator only; and
                     [(D)     not designed by the manufacturer for farming
  or lawn care].
               (1-a)  "Beach" means a beach area, publicly or
  privately owned, that borders the seaward shore of the Gulf of
  Mexico.
         SECTION 5.  Section 663.002(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Sections [Section] 663.037 and
  663.0371, Chapter 521 does not apply to the operation or ownership
  of an all-terrain vehicle registered for off-highway operation.
         SECTION 6.  Section 663.031, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 663.031.  SAFETY CERTIFICATE REQUIRED. (a) A person
  may not operate an all-terrain vehicle on public property or a beach
  unless the person:
               (1)  holds a safety certificate issued under this
  chapter or under the authority of another state;
               (2)  is taking a safety training course under the
  direct supervision of a certified all-terrain vehicle safety
  instructor; or
               (3)  is under the direct supervision of an adult who
  holds a safety certificate issued under this chapter or under the
  authority of another state.
         (b)  A person to whom a safety certificate required by
  Subsection (a) has been issued shall:
               (1)  carry the certificate when the person operates an
  all-terrain vehicle on public property or a beach; and
               (2)  display the certificate at the request of any law
  enforcement officer.
         SECTION 7.  Sections 663.033(a), (b), and (c),
  Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  An all-terrain vehicle that is operated on public
  property or a beach must be equipped with:
               (1)  a brake system maintained in good operating
  condition;
               (2)  an adequate muffler system in good working
  condition; and
               (3)  a United States Forest Service qualified spark
  arrester.
         (b)  An all-terrain vehicle that is operated on public
  property or a beach must display a lighted headlight and taillight:
               (1)  during the period from one-half hour after sunset
  to one-half hour before sunrise; and
               (2)  at any time when visibility is reduced because of
  insufficient light or atmospheric conditions.
         (c)  A person may not operate an all-terrain vehicle on
  public property or a beach if:
               (1)  the vehicle has an exhaust system that has been
  modified with a cutout, bypass, or similar device; or
               (2)  the spark arrester has been removed or modified,
  unless the vehicle is being operated in a closed-course competition
  event.
         SECTION 8.  Section 663.034, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 663.034.  SAFETY APPAREL REQUIRED. A person may not
  operate, ride, or be carried on an all-terrain vehicle on public
  property or a beach unless the person wears:
               (1)  a safety helmet that complies with United States
  Department of Transportation standards; and
               (2)  eye protection.
         SECTION 9.  Section 663.035, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 663.035.  RECKLESS OR CARELESS OPERATION PROHIBITED. A
  person may not operate an all-terrain vehicle on public property or
  a beach in a careless or reckless manner that endangers, injures, or
  damages any person or property.
         SECTION 10.  Section 663.036, Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 663.036.  CARRYING PASSENGERS. A person may not carry a
  passenger on an all-terrain vehicle operated on public property or
  a beach unless the all-terrain vehicle is designed by the
  manufacturer to transport a passenger.
         SECTION 11.  Subchapter C, Chapter 663, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 663.0371 to read as follows:
         Sec. 663.0371.  OPERATION ON BEACH. (a)  A person may not
  operate an all-terrain vehicle on a beach except as provided by this
  section.
         (b)  A person operating an all-terrain vehicle on a beach
  must hold and have in the person's possession a driver's license
  issued under Chapter 521 or a commercial driver's license issued
  under Chapter 522.
         (c)  Except as provided by Chapters 61 and 63, Natural
  Resources Code, an operator of an all-terrain vehicle may drive the
  vehicle on a beach that is open to motor vehicle traffic.
         (d)  Except as provided by Chapters 61 and 63, Natural
  Resources Code, a person who is authorized to operate an
  all-terrain vehicle that is owned by the state, a county, or a
  municipality may drive the all-terrain vehicle on any beach if the
  vehicle is registered under Section 502.140(b).
         (e)  The Texas Department of Transportation or a county or
  municipality may prohibit the operation of an all-terrain vehicle
  on a beach if the department or the governing body of the county or
  municipality determines that the prohibition is necessary in the
  interest of safety.
         SECTION 12.  Section 502.140(c), Transportation Code, is
  repealed.
         SECTION 13.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1044 was passed by the House on May 2,
  2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 139, Nays 8, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1044 was passed by the Senate on May
  22, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor