| 1 | 1 | | 88R9248 BEE-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Patterson H.B. No. 715 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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| 6 | 6 | | AN ACT |
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| 7 | 7 | | relating to the operation of an electric bicycle in a state park. |
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| 8 | 8 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 9 | 9 | | SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Parks and Wildlife |
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| 10 | 10 | | Code, is amended by adding Section 13.024 to read as follows: |
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| 11 | 11 | | Sec. 13.024. OPERATION OF ELECTRIC BICYCLE IN STATE PARK. |
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| 12 | 12 | | (a) In this section: |
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| 13 | 13 | | (1) "Bicycle" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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| 14 | 14 | | 541.201, Transportation Code. |
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| 15 | 15 | | (2) "Class 1 electric bicycle" and "Class 2 electric |
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| 16 | 16 | | bicycle" have the meanings assigned by Section 664.001, |
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| 17 | 17 | | Transportation Code. |
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| 18 | 18 | | (b) Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by |
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| 19 | 19 | | Subsection (d), a person may operate in a state park: |
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| 20 | 20 | | (1) a Class 1 electric bicycle in an area where the |
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| 21 | 21 | | operation of a bicycle is permitted; and |
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| 22 | 22 | | (2) a Class 2 electric bicycle in an area where the |
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| 23 | 23 | | person has been authorized by the park to operate a Class 2 electric |
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| 24 | 24 | | bicycle. |
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| 25 | 25 | | (c) The commission by rule shall adopt: |
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| 26 | 26 | | (1) forms and procedures for a person to apply to a |
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| 27 | 27 | | state park for authorization to operate a Class 2 electric bicycle |
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| 28 | 28 | | in the park; and |
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| 29 | 29 | | (2) criteria for an employee of a state park to use to: |
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| 30 | 30 | | (A) approve or disapprove an application under |
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| 31 | 31 | | Subdivision (1); and |
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| 32 | 32 | | (B) place limitations, if any, on the area of the |
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| 33 | 33 | | park in which operation of a Class 2 electric bicycle is authorized. |
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| 34 | 34 | | (d) The department may prohibit the operation of a Class 1 |
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| 35 | 35 | | or Class 2 electric bicycle in an area of a state park described by |
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| 36 | 36 | | Subsection (b) if the department determines the prohibition is |
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| 37 | 37 | | necessary to protect: |
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| 38 | 38 | | (1) public safety; |
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| 39 | 39 | | (2) state park infrastructure; or |
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| 40 | 40 | | (3) state fish or wildlife resources or habitat. |
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| 41 | 41 | | SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |
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