By: Larson (Senate Sponsor - Uresti) H.B. No. 115
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 4, 2013;
April 17, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on
Natural Resources; May 8, 2013, reported favorably by the
following vote: Yeas 10, Nays 0; May 8, 2013, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to identification numbers on vessels.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 31.021(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) No person may operate or give permission for the
operation of any vessel or may dock, moor, or store a vessel owned
by the person on the water of this state unless:
(1) the vessel is numbered as required by this
chapter;
(2) the certificate of number awarded to the vessel is
in full force and effect; and
(3) the identifying number set forth in the
certificate is properly displayed on [each side of the bow of] the
vessel as required by this chapter.
SECTION 2. The heading to Section 31.032, Parks and
Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 31.032. NUMBERING LOCATION AND VISIBILITY; EXEMPTION;
DECAL [ON BOW].
SECTION 3. Section 31.032, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection
(a-1) to read as follows:
(a) The owner of a vessel shall paint on or attach to each
side of the forward half of the vessel [near the bow] the
identification number and a registration [validation] decal in the
manner prescribed by the department. The number shall read from
left to right and shall be of block characters of good proportion of
not less than three inches in height. The numbers shall be of a
color which will contrast with the hull material of the vessel and
so maintained as to be clearly visible and legible.
(a-1) On a vessel configured so that a number on the hull or
superstructure is not easily visible, the number must be painted on
or attached to a backing plate that is attached to the forward half
of the vessel so that the number is visible from each side of the
vessel.
(c) The commission shall adopt rules for the placement of
the registration [validation] decal in an alternate location for
antique boats. In this subsection, "antique boat" means a boat
that:
(1) is used primarily for recreational purposes; and
(2) was manufactured 35 or more years before the date
the registration [validation] decal is issued.
SECTION 4. Sections 31.033(a) and (b), Parks and Wildlife
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) No person may paint, attach, or otherwise display on the
forward half [either side of the bow] of a vessel a number other
than the number awarded to the vessel or granted reciprocity under
this chapter.
(b) No person may deface or alter the certificate of number
or the number assigned to and appearing on [the bow of] a vessel.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
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