By: Hinojosa of Nueces S.B. No. 2230

(In the Senate - Filed March 11, 2025; March 13, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources; March 31, 2025, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 1; March 31, 2025, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 2230 By: Hancock

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the evacuation of unauthorized persons from a hazard area in connection with space flight activities; creating a criminal offense.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 61.132, Natural Resources Code, is amended by adding Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) to read as follows:

(c-1) To protect the public health, safety, and welfare:

(1) the governing body of a municipality to which proposed primary and backup dates for space flight activities are submitted under Subsection (b)(1) by ordinance shall compel the evacuation of any unauthorized person from a hazard area, as calculated by the Federal Aviation Administration under 14 C.F.R. Section 450.133(c), on the date on which space flight activities are conducted; and

(2) a commissioners court to which proposed primary and backup dates for space flight activities are submitted under Subsection (b)(2) or (b-1) by order may compel the evacuation of any unauthorized person from a hazard area, as calculated by the Federal Aviation Administration under 14 C.F.R. Section 450.133(c), on the date on which space flight activities are conducted.

(c-2) A person commits an offense if the person violates an ordinance or order adopted under Subsection (c-1). An offense under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor, except that the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the actor has previously been convicted of an offense under this subsection.

SECTION 2. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section:

(1) this Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution; and

(2) if this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

(b) This Act takes effect only if S.B. 2188 or similar legislation of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, relating to the closure of beaches for space flight activities is enacted and becomes law. If legislation described by this subsection is not enacted or does not become law, this Act has no effect.

* * * * *