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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to sound-producing devices on vessels. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 31.065, Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 31.065. SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES. A vessel [motorboat] |
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must have an efficient whistle or other sound-producing device if |
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one is required by the commandant of the Coast Guard. |
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SECTION 2. Section 31.073(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) All canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats, sailboats, rubber |
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rafts, and other paddle craft when paddled, poled, oared, or |
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windblown are exempt from all safety equipment requirements except |
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each vessel must have the following: |
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(1) one Coast Guard approved wearable personal |
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flotation device for each person aboard; [and] |
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(2) the lights prescribed by the commandant of the |
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Coast Guard for vessels and required under Section 31.064; and |
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(3) the sound-producing device prescribed by the |
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commandant of the Coast Guard for vessels and required under |
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Section 31.065. |
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SECTION 3. Section 31.127(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A person who violates or fails to comply with any |
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provision of this chapter other than Section 31.073(a)(3), or who |
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violates or fails to comply with a proclamation of the commission |
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entered under this chapter or a city ordinance or order of a |
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commissioners court or a political subdivision of the state made or |
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entered under this chapter, commits an offense that is a Class C |
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Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a 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. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |