By: Guillen (Senate Sponsor - Zaffirini) H.B. No. 2138
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 26, 2011;
April 29, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on
Transportation and Homeland Security; May 19, 2011, reported
favorably by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 19, 2011,
sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the search for and rescue of victims of water-oriented
accidents.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 31.121, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended by amending Subsections (a) and (e) and adding Subsection
(a-1) to read as follows:
(a) In this section:
(1) "Game warden" means a person who is commissioned
as a game warden by the commission.
(2) "State military forces" has the meaning assigned
by Section 431.001, Government Code.
(a-1) All peace officers of this state and game wardens
[commissioned by the commission] must be certified as marine safety
enforcement officers by the department to enforce the provisions of
this chapter by arresting and taking into custody any person who
commits any act or offense prohibited by this chapter or who
violates any provision of this chapter.
(e) State military forces may assist game [Game] wardens
[may assist] in the search for and rescue of victims of
water-oriented accidents.
SECTION 2. 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. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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