By: Hinojosa of Nueces S.B. No. 2230
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the evacuation of unauthorized persons from a hazard
area in connection with space flight activities; creating a
criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 61.132, Natural Resources Code, is
amended by adding Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) to read as follows:
(c-1) To protect the public health, safety, and welfare:
(1) the governing body of a municipality to which
proposed primary and backup dates for space flight activities are
submitted under Subsection (b)(1) by ordinance shall compel the
evacuation of any unauthorized person from a hazard area, as
calculated by the Federal Aviation Administration under 14 C.F.R.
Section 450.133(c), on the date on which space flight activities
are conducted; and
(2) a commissioners court to which proposed primary
and backup dates for space flight activities are submitted under
Subsection (b)(2) or (b-1) by order may compel the evacuation of any
unauthorized person from a hazard area, as calculated by the
Federal Aviation Administration under 14 C.F.R. Section
450.133(c), on the date on which space flight activities are
conducted.
(c-2) A person commits an offense if the person violates an
ordinance or order adopted under Subsection (c-1). An offense
under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor, except that the
offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the actor has previously been
convicted of an offense under this subsection.
SECTION 2. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
section:
(1) 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; and
(2) if this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
(b) This Act takes effect only if S.B. 2188 or similar
legislation of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025,
relating to the closure of beaches for space flight activities is
enacted and becomes law. If legislation described by this
subsection is not enacted or does not become law, this Act has no
effect.