H.B. No. 1106
AN ACT
relating to the identification and operation of vessels in the
waters of this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 31.003(1), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(1) "Boat" means a vessel not more than 65 feet in
length, measured from the tip of the bow in a straight line to the
stern [end to end over the deck, excluding sheer].
SECTION 2. Section 31.0341(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) Each county tax assessor-collector shall award
certificates of number under this chapter in the manner prescribed
by this chapter and the regulations of the department. [The
department shall issue a block or blocks of numbers to each county
tax assessor-collector for awarding to applicants on receipt of
applications.]
SECTION 3. Section 31.039, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to
read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), all [All]
ownership records of the department made or kept under this chapter
are public records.
(c) An owner identifier as prescribed by 33 C.F.R. Section
174.17 is not a public record.
SECTION 4. Sections 31.040(a) and (b), Parks and Wildlife
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) Before the vessel is rented or let for hire, the [The]
owner or operator of a vessel livery shall obtain a certificate of
number for a vessel [all vessels] being used as a motorboat prior to
being rented [motorboats to rent or let for hire].
(b) [To receive certificates of number, the owner of a
vessel livery shall apply directly to the department on application
forms provided by the department.] The application for the
certificate of number under Section 31.024 or for a certificate of
title under Section 31.046 must state that the applicant is a vessel
livery within the meaning of this chapter [, and the facts stated in
the application must be sworn before an officer authorized to
administer oaths].
SECTION 5. Section 31.047(b), Parks and Wildlif
e Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) The form must contain:
(1) the owner's name, [and] address, and owner
identifier as prescribed by 33 C.F.R. Section 174.17 [of the
owner];
(2) a description of the vessel or outboard motor,
including, as appropriate, the manufacturer, make, model, year,
length, construction material, manufacturer's or builder's number,
hull identification number (HIN), motor number, outdrive number,
primary operation purpose, vessel type, propulsion type, engine
drive type, fuel, and horsepower;
(3) name and address of purchaser;
(4) date of purchase;
(5) name and address of any security interest owner;
(6) the appropriate affidavit as required by Section
160.042, Tax Code; and
(7) other information required by the department to
show the ownership of the vessel or outboard motor, a security
interest in the vessel or outboard motor, or a further description
of items listed in the subdivision.
SECTION 6. Section 31.049(d), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(d) An original certificate of title bears an assigned title
number. A replacement certificate of title consists of a new,
printed title that bears a new title number. The previous title
number is void when the replacement certificate of title is issued.
["Original" shall be printed on an original certificate of title
and "duplicate original" shall be marked on a duplicate of the
original certificate.]
SECTION 7. Subchapter C, Chapter 31, Parks and Wildlife
Code, is amended by adding Section 31.074 to read as follows:
Sec. 31.074. VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNAL. (a) In this section:
(1) "Coastal waters" means the water that lies within
nine nautical miles from the coastline of this state.
(2) "Uninspected passenger vessel" has the meaning
assigned by 46 C.F.R. Section 24.10-1.
(3) "Visual distress signal" means a device that is
approved and required by the commandant of the United States Coast
Guard for the purpose of indicating a vessel in distress, including
flares, smoke signals, and non-pyrotechnic signals.
(b) No person may operate on the coastal waters a vessel
that is 16 feet or more in length, or any vessel operating as an
uninspected passenger vessel, unless the vessel is equipped with
readily accessible visual distress signals approved for day and
night use in the number required by the commandant of the United
States Coast Guard.
(c) Between sunset and sunrise, no person may operate on the
coastal waters a vessel less than 16 feet in length unless the
vessel is equipped with readily accessible visual distress signals
approved for night use in the number required by the commandant of
the United States Coast Guard.
(d) No person may operate a vessel on coastal waters unless
each visual distress signal required under this section is in
serviceable condition and the service life of the signal, if
indicated by a date marked on the signal, has not expired.
SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1106 was passed by the House on April
11, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 2, 2 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 1106 on May 16, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0,
2 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1106 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 13, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor