By: Morrison H.B. No. 3279
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3279:
 
  By:  Larson C.S.H.B. No. 3279
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
 
  relating to the uprooting of seagrass plants; creating an offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 66, Parks and Wildlife
  Code, is amended by adding Section 66.024 to read as follows:
         Sec. 66.024.  SEAGRASS PLANTS. (a) In this section,
  "seagrass plant" means a flowering marine plant of the species:
               (1)  Cymodocea filiformis, known as manatee grass;
               (2)  Halodule beaudettei, known as shoal grass;
               (3)  Halophila engelmannii, known as star grass or
  Engelmann's seagrass;
               (4)  Ruppia maritima, known as widgeon grass; or
               (5)  Thalassia testudinum, known as turtle grass.
         (b)  A person may not uproot or dig out any rooted seagrass
  plant from a bay bottom or other saltwater bottom area in the
  jurisdiction of this state by means of a propeller, except as that
  uprooting or digging out may be authorized by:
               (1)  a coastal lease granted by the General Land
  Office; or
               (2)  a commercial license or permit issued by the
  department.
         (c)  It is a defense to prosecution under this section that a
  person:
               (1)  anchors a vessel within an area containing
  seagrass plants and uproots a seagrass plant;
               (2)  uses an electric trolling motor within an area
  containing seagrass plants and uproots a seagrass plant; or
               (3)  operates a vessel in a manner consistent with the
  acceleration required to reach and stay on plane.
         (d)  A person who violates this section or a proclamation of
  the commission under this section commits an offense that is a Class
  C Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.