By: Hunter, Morales of Harris H.B. No. 3807
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of lifeguards and informational signs to
  improve safety on public beaches.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  This Act shall be known as the Je'Sani Smith Act.
         SECTION 2.  Section 61.065, Natural Resources Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  As part of the duty under this section to clean and
  maintain the condition of public beaches, a municipality shall: 
               (1)  during reasonable daylight hours for the months of
  March through November, provide:
                     (A)  occupied lifeguard towers on each side of
  each pier, jetty, or other structure that protrudes into the Gulf of
  Mexico that is located within the corporate boundaries; or
                     (B)  a single occupied lifeguard tower at each
  pier, jetty, or other structure that protrudes into the Gulf of
  Mexico that is located within the corporate boundaries if the
  single tower provides an unobstructed view of both sides of the
  structure; and
               (2)  post within 100 yards of each side of each
  structure described by Subdivision (1) signs clearly describing the
  dangerous water conditions that may occur near the structure.
         SECTION 3.  Section 61.066, Natural Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.066.  DUTY OF COUNTY. (a) It is the duty and
  responsibility of the commissioners court of any county located or
  bordering on the Gulf of Mexico to clean and maintain the condition
  of all public beaches located inside the county but outside the
  boundaries of any incorporated city located or bordering on the
  Gulf of Mexico and all public beaches owned by the county and
  located inside the boundaries of an incorporated city, town, or
  village.
         (b)  As part of the duty under this section to clean and
  maintain the condition of public beaches, a county shall: 
               (1)  during reasonable daylight hours for the months of
  March through November, provide:
                     (A)  occupied lifeguard towers on each side of
  each pier, jetty, or other structure that protrudes into the Gulf of
  Mexico that is located on a public beach described by Subsection
  (a); or
                     (B)  a single occupied lifeguard tower at each
  pier, jetty, or other structure that protrudes into the Gulf of
  Mexico that is located on a public beach described by Subsection (a)
  if the single tower provides an unobstructed view of both sides of
  the structure; and
               (2)  post within 100 yards of each side of each
  structure described by Subdivision (1) signs clearly describing the
  dangerous water conditions that may occur near the structure.
         SECTION 4.  Section 61.067, Natural Resources Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (a-2) to read as follows:
         (a-2)  As part of the duty under this section to clean and
  maintain the condition of public beaches located within state
  parks, the department shall: 
               (1)  during reasonable daylight hours for the months of
  March through November, provide:
                     (A)  occupied lifeguard towers on each side of
  each pier, jetty, or other structure that protrudes into the Gulf of
  Mexico that is located within a state park; or
                     (B)  a single occupied lifeguard tower at each
  pier, jetty, or other structure that protrudes into the Gulf of
  Mexico that is located within a state park if the single tower
  provides an unobstructed view of both sides of the structure; and
               (2)  post within 100 yards of each side of each
  structure described by Subdivision (1) signs clearly describing the
  dangerous water conditions that may occur near the structure.
         SECTION 5.  Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Parks and Wildlife
  Code, is amended by adding Section 13.023 to read as follows:
         Sec. 13.023.  LIFEGUARDS AND SIGNAGE IN CERTAIN AREAS. The
  department shall: 
               (1)  during reasonable daylight hours for the months of
  March through November, provide:
                     (A)  occupied lifeguard towers on each side of
  each pier, jetty, or other structure that protrudes into the Gulf of
  Mexico that is located within a state park; or
                     (B)  a single occupied lifeguard tower at each
  pier, jetty, or other structure that protrudes into the Gulf of
  Mexico that is located within a state park if the single tower
  provides an unobstructed view of both sides of each structure; and
               (2)  post within 100 yards of each side of each
  structure described by Subdivision (1) signs clearly describing the
  dangerous water conditions that may occur near the structure.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.