| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the operation of an electric bicycle in a state park. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Parks and Wildlife |
|
|
Code, is amended by adding Section 13.024 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 13.024. OPERATION OF ELECTRIC BICYCLE IN STATE PARK. |
|
|
(a) In this section: |
|
|
(1) "Bicycle" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
|
541.201, Transportation Code. |
|
|
(2) "Class 1 electric bicycle" and "Class 2 electric |
|
|
bicycle" have the meanings assigned by Section 664.001, |
|
|
Transportation Code. |
|
|
(b) Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by |
|
|
Subsection (d), a person may operate in a state park: |
|
|
(1) a Class 1 electric bicycle in an area where the |
|
|
operation of a bicycle is permitted; and |
|
|
(2) a Class 2 electric bicycle in an area where the |
|
|
person has been authorized by the park to operate a Class 2 electric |
|
|
bicycle. |
|
|
(c) The commission by rule shall adopt: |
|
|
(1) forms and procedures for a person to apply to a |
|
|
state park for authorization to operate a Class 2 electric bicycle |
|
|
in the park; and |
|
|
(2) criteria for an employee of a state park to use to: |
|
|
(A) approve or disapprove an application under |
|
|
Subdivision (1); and |
|
|
(B) place limitations, if any, on the area of the |
|
|
park in which operation of a Class 2 electric bicycle is authorized. |
|
|
(d) The department may prohibit the operation of a Class 1 |
|
|
or Class 2 electric bicycle in an area of a state park described by |
|
|
Subsection (b) if the department determines the prohibition is |
|
|
necessary to protect: |
|
|
(1) public safety; |
|
|
(2) state park infrastructure; or |
|
|
(3) state fish or wildlife resources or habitat. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |