By: Kacal H.B. No. 4123
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the regulation of sport lagoons and granting rulemaking
  authority.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 2, Subtitle D, Water Code, is amended by
  adding Chapter 33 to read as follows:
  Chapter 33.  SPORT LAGOONS
  Subchapter A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS
         Sec. 33.001.  DEFINITIONS  In this Chapter:
               (1)  "Sport Lagoon" means any artificial, permanently
  installed or non-portable structure, basin, chamber, or tank
  containing a minimum of 4.5 million gallons of non-potable water
  used for swimming, diving, aquatic sports, or other aquatic
  activities.  For purposes of this Chapter, a "sport lagoon" is not a
  "public swimming pool" as defined in Chapter 341, Health & Safety
  Code, nor is it subject to Chapter 341, Health & Safety Code.
               (2)  "Commission" means the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 33, Water Code is added to
  read as follows:
 
  SUBCHAPTER B.  PERMITS
         Sec. 33.011.  APPLICATION FOR PERMIT. Any person may apply
  to the Commission for a permit to construct and operate a sport
  lagoon.
         Sec. 33.012.  APPLICATION FORM. The Commission shall
  prescribe a form on which an application for a permit may be made
  and shall make the form available online and upon request.
         Sec. 33.013.  CONTENTS OF APPLICATION.  The application for
  a permit shall:
               (1)  state the applicant's name, business address, and
  permanent mailing address;
               (2)  include all pertinent engineering and design
  reports that will be used to construct the sport lagoon, water
  storage facility, and disinfection system;
               (3)  include all pertinent information to demonstrate
  that the disinfection system meets or exceeds best practices used
  in the water recreation industry for sport lagoons as established
  by organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and
  Prevention, the International Association of Amusement Parks and
  Attractions, the World Health Organization, or others; and
               (4)  include other relevant information required by the
  Commission necessary for the review of the application.
         Sec. 33.014.  APPLICATION FEE. With each application for
  issuance, renewal, or material amendment of a permit, the applicant
  shall submit a fee established by the Commission.  A fee established
  by the commission shall not exceed an amount necessary for the
  operation of the permitting program under this section.
         Sec. 33.015.  REJECTING AN APPLICATION. If an application
  for a permit does not comply with Section 33.013 of this code or
  with reasonable rules of the Commission, the Commission may reject
  the application.
         Sec. 33.016.  SUSPENSION; REFUSAL TO RENEW. The Commission
  may suspend or refuse to renew a permit for a period not to exceed
  one year if the permittee:
               (1)  violates the provisions of this chapter;
               (2)  violates reasonable rules promulgated under this
  chapter; or
               (3)  does not maintain a disinfection system that meets
  or exceeds best practices in the water recreation industry as
  defined in this chapter.
         Sec. 33.017.  APPEAL.  Any person whose permit application
  is rejected, suspended, or whose application for permit renewal is
  rejected by the Commission may file a petition in an action to set
  aside the Commission's act within the 30-day period immediately
  following the day the applicant receives notice of the Commission's
  action.
         Sec. 33.018.  SUIT TO COMPEL COMMISSION TO ACT.  If the
  Commission does not approve or reject the application within 90
  days of submission, the applicant may file an action to compel the
  Commission to show cause why it should not be directed by the court
  to take immediate action.
         Sec. 33.019.  VENUE.  The venue in actions under this Chapter
  is fixed exclusively in the district courts of Travis County.
         SECTION 3.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2017.