H.B. No. 2981
AN ACT
relating to the operation on a highway or street of a motor vehicle
that is drawing a boat or personal watercraft in or on which a child
is riding; providing a penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 545.4145 to read as follows:
Sec. 545.4145. RIDING IN OR ON BOAT OR PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
DRAWN BY VEHICLE; OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the
person operates a motor vehicle on a highway or street when a child
younger than 18 years of age is occupying a boat or personal
watercraft being drawn by the motor vehicle.
(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that
the person was:
(1) operating the motor vehicle in a parade or in an
emergency; or
(2) operating the motor vehicle on a beach.
(c) In this section, "boat" and "personal watercraft" have
the meanings assigned by Section 31.003, Parks and Wildlife Code.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2981 was passed by the House on May 3,
2011, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 1, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 2981 on May 27, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 1,
2 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2981 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 25, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor