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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the evacuation of unauthorized persons from a hazard |
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area in connection with space flight activities; creating a |
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criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 61.132, Natural Resources Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) to read as follows: |
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(c-1) To protect the public health, safety, and welfare: |
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(1) the governing body of a municipality to which |
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proposed primary and backup dates for space flight activities are |
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submitted under Subsection (b)(1) by ordinance shall compel the |
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evacuation of any unauthorized person from a hazard area, as |
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calculated by the Federal Aviation Administration under 14 C.F.R. |
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Section 450.133(c), on the date on which space flight activities |
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are conducted; and |
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(2) a commissioners court to which proposed primary |
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and backup dates for space flight activities are submitted under |
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Subsection (b)(2) or (b-1) by order may compel the evacuation of any |
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unauthorized person from a hazard area, as calculated by the |
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Federal Aviation Administration under 14 C.F.R. Section |
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450.133(c), on the date on which space flight activities are |
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conducted. |
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(c-2) A person commits an offense if the person violates an |
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ordinance or order adopted under Subsection (c-1). An offense |
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under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor, except that the |
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offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the actor has previously been |
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convicted of an offense under this subsection. |
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SECTION 2. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this |
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section: |
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(1) this Act takes effect immediately if it receives a |
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vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution; and |
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(2) if this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
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immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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(b) This Act takes effect only if S.B. 2188 or similar |
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legislation of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, |
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relating to the closure of beaches for space flight activities is |
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enacted and becomes law. If legislation described by this |
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subsection is not enacted or does not become law, this Act has no |
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effect. |