reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
TX Nat Res Code § 53.1631 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle D - Disposition of the Public Domain|Chapter 53 - Minerals|Subchapter F. Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration Permit|Section 53.1631. Groundwater

Sec. 53.1631.  GROUNDWATER.  (a)  Unless otherwise expressly provided by statute, deed, patent, or other grant from the State of Texas, groundwater shall not be considered a mineral in any past or future reservation of title or rights to minerals by the State of Texas.(b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the State of Texas shall retain any and all rights to reasonable use of the surface and groundwater for mineral development and production purposes.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1091, Sec. 32, eff. June 20, 2003.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.001 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter A. General Provisions|Section 61.001. Definitions

Sec. 61.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:(1)  "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the General Land Office.(2)  "Construction" means causing or carrying out any building, bulkheading, filling, clearing, excavation, or any substantial improvement to land or the size of any structure.(3)  "Department" means the Parks and Wildlife Department.(4)  "Land office" means the General Land Office.(4-a) "Launch" and "space flight activities" have the meanings assigned by Section 100A.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.(5)  "Line of vegetation" means the extreme seaward boundary of natural vegetation which spreads continuously inland.(6)  "Littoral owner" means the owner of land adjacent to the shore and includes a lessee, licensee, or anyone acting under the littoral owner's authority.(7)  "Local government" means a municipality, county, or any other political subdivision of the state.(7-a)  "Meteorological event" means atmospheric conditions or phenomena resulting in avulsion, erosion, accretion, or other impacts to the shoreline that alter the location of the line of vegetation.(8)  "Public beach" means any beach area, whether publicly or privately owned, extending inland from the line of mean low tide to the line of vegetation bordering on the Gulf of Mexico to which the public has acquired the right of use or easement to or over the area by prescription, dedication, presumption, or has retained a right by virtue of continuous right in the public since time immemorial, as recognized in law and custom. This definition does not include a beach that is not accessible by a public road or public ferry as provided in Section 61.021 of this code.|Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2477, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.  Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 295, Sec. 4, eff. June 7, 1991.Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 152 (H.B. 2623), Sec. 1, eff. May 24, 2013.Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1086 (H.B. 3459), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.012 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.012. Definition

Sec. 61.012.  DEFINITION.  In this subchapter, "beach" means state-owned beaches to which the public has the right of ingress and egress bordering on the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico or any larger area extending from the line of mean low tide to the line of vegetation bordering on the Gulf of Mexico if the public has acquired a right of use or easement to or over the area by prescription, dedication, or has retained a right by virtue of continuous right in the public.|Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2477, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.013 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.013. Prohibition

Sec. 61.013.  PROHIBITION.  (a)  It is an offense against the public policy of this state for any person to create, erect, or construct any obstruction, barrier, or restraint that will interfere with the free and unrestricted right of the public, individually and collectively, lawfully and legally to enter or to leave any public beach or to use any public beach or any larger area abutting on or contiguous to a public beach if the public has acquired a right of use or easement to or over the area by prescription, dedication, or has retained a right by virtue of continuous right in the public.(b)  Unless properly certified as consistent with this subchapter, no person may cause, engage in, or allow construction landward of and adjacent to a public beach within the area described in Section 61.011(d)(6) of this code in a manner that will or is likely to affect adversely public access to and use of the public beach.  The prohibition in this subsection takes effect only on adoption of final rules by the commissioner under Section 61.011 of this code.(c)  For purposes of this section, "public beach" shall mean any beach bordering on the Gulf of Mexico that extends inland from the line of mean low tide to the natural line of vegetation bordering on the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico, or such larger contiguous area to which the public has acquired a right of use or easement to or over by prescription, dedication, or estoppel, or has retained a right by virtue of continuous right in the public since time immemorial as recognized by law or custom.  This definition does not include a beach that is not accessible by a public road or public ferry as provided in Section 61.021 of this code.|Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2478, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.  Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1607, ch. 681, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 27, 1979;  Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4818, ch. 850, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 1983;  Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 295, Sec. 6, eff. June 7, 1991.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.014 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.014. Denial of Access by Posting

Sec. 61.014.  DENIAL OF ACCESS BY POSTING.  (a)  As used in this section, "public beach" means the area extending from the line of mean low tide of the Gulf of Mexico to the line of vegetation bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, or to a line 200 feet inland from the line of mean low tide, whichever is nearer the line of mean low tide, if the public has acquired a right of use or easement to or over the area by prescription, dedication, or has retained a right by virtue of continuous right in the public.(b)  No person may display or cause to be displayed on or adjacent to any public beach any sign, marker, or warning, or make or cause to be made any written or oral communication which states that the public beach is private property or represent in any other manner that the public does not have the right of access to the public beach as guaranteed by this subchapter.|Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2478, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.  Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1607, ch. 681, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 27, 1979;  Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 295, Sec. 7, eff. June 7, 1991.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.016 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.016. Boundaries for Areas With No Marked Vegetation Line

Sec. 61.016.  BOUNDARIES FOR AREAS WITH NO MARKED VEGETATION LINE.  (a)  To determine the "line of vegetation" in any area of public beach in which there is no clearly marked line of vegetation (for instance, a line immediately behind well-defined dunes or mounds of sand and at a point where vegetation begins) recourse shall be to the nearest clearly marked line of vegetation on each side of the unmarked area.(b)  The "line of vegetation" for the unmarked area shall be the line of constant elevation connecting the two clearly marked lines of vegetation on each side.(c)  If the elevation of the two points on each side of the area are not the same, the extension defining the "line of vegetation" shall be the average elevation as between the two points, but if there is no clearly marked line of vegetation, the "line of vegetation" shall not extend inland further than 200 feet from the seaward line of mean low tide.(d)  The "line of vegetation" is dynamic and may move landward or seaward due to the forces of erosion or natural accretion. For the purposes of determining the public beach easement, if the "line of vegetation" is obliterated due to a meteorological event, the landward boundary of the area subject to the public easement shall be the line established by order under Section 61.0171(a) or as determined by the commissioner under Section 61.0171(f).|Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2478, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.  Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 295, Sec. 9, eff. June 7, 1991.Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1086 (H.B. 3459), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2013.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.0171 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.0171. Temporary Suspension of Line of Vegetation Determination

Sec. 61.0171.  TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF LINE OF VEGETATION DETERMINATION.  (a)  The commissioner may, by order, suspend action on conducting a line of vegetation determination for a period of up to three years from the date the order is issued if the commissioner determines that the line of vegetation was obliterated as a result of a meteorological event.  For the duration of the order, the public beach shall extend to a line 200 feet inland from the line of mean low tide as established by a licensed state land surveyor.(b)  An order issued under this section shall be:(1)  posted on the land office's Internet website;(2)  published by the land office as a miscellaneous document in the Texas Register; and(3)  filed for record by the land office in the real property records of the county in which the area of beach subject to the order is located.(c)  Issuance of an order under this section is purely within the discretion of the commissioner.  This section does not create:(1)  a duty on the part of the commissioner to issue an order related to the line of vegetation; or(2)  a private cause of action for:(A)  issuance of an order under this section; or(B)  failure to issue an order under this section.(d)  Chapter 2007, Government Code, does not apply to an order issued under this section.(e)  If the commissioner issues an order under this section, a limitations period established by statute, under common law, or in equity that may be asserted or claimed in any action under this chapter is suspended and does not run against this state, the public, or private land owners for the period the order is in effect.(f)  Following the expiration of an order issued under this section, the commissioner shall make a determination regarding the line of vegetation in accordance with Sections 61.016 and 61.017 and taking into consideration the effect of the meteorological event on the location of the public beach easement.(g)  The commissioner may consult with the Bureau of Economic Geology of The University of Texas at Austin or a licensed state land surveyor and consider other relevant factors when making a determination under Subsection (f) regarding the annual erosion rate for the area of beach subject to the order issued under this section.(h)  The line of vegetation, as determined by the commissioner under Subsection (f), shall constitute the landward boundary of the area subject to public easement until the line of vegetation moves landward due to a subsequent meteorological event, erosion, or public use, or until a final court adjudication establishes the line in another place.|Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1086 (H.B. 3459), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2013.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.0181 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.0181. Administrative Penalty

Sec. 61.0181.  ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY.  The commissioner may assess an administrative penalty against a person who violates this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter in the amount provided by Section 61.018(c) for a civil penalty.  In determining the amount of the penalty, the commissioner shall consider:(1)  the seriousness of the violation, including the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation and the hazard or damage caused thereby;(2)  the degree of cooperation and quality of response;(3)  the degree of culpability and history of previous violations by the person subject to the penalty;(4)  the amount necessary to deter future violations; and(5)  any other matter that justice requires.|Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1256 (H.B. 2819), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2007.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.0182 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.0182. Enforcement Provisions Cumulative

Sec. 61.0182.  ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS CUMULATIVE.  This subchapter is cumulative of all other applicable penalties, remedies, and enforcement and liability provisions.|Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1256 (H.B. 2819), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2007.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.0183 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.0183. Removal of Certain Structures, Improvements, Obstructions, Barriers, and Hazards on Public Beach

Sec. 61.0183.  REMOVAL OF CERTAIN STRUCTURES, IMPROVEMENTS, OBSTRUCTIONS, BARRIERS, AND HAZARDS ON PUBLIC BEACH.  (a)  The commissioner may order the removal of a structure, improvement, obstruction, barrier, or hazard from a public beach if the commissioner finds the structure, improvement, obstruction, barrier, or hazard to be on the public beach as defined by Section 61.013(c) and:(1)  the structure, improvement, obstruction, barrier, or hazard was constructed or placed on the beach in a manner that is inconsistent with the local government's beach access and use plan; or(2)  the structure, improvement, obstruction, or barrier constitutes an imminent hazard to safety, health, or public welfare.(b)  The decision to remove a structure, improvement, obstruction, barrier, or hazard under this section is discretionary with the commissioner.  This section does not impose a duty on the state to remove a structure, improvement, obstruction, barrier, or hazard or to remedy or warn of a hazardous condition on the public beach.(c)  The commissioner may contract for the removal and disposal of a structure, improvement, obstruction, barrier, or hazard under this section and may pay the costs of removal from money appropriated by the legislature.|Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1256 (H.B. 2819), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2007.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.019 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.019. Declaratory Judgment Suits

Sec. 61.019.  DECLARATORY JUDGMENT SUITS.  (a)  A littoral owner whose rights are determined or affected by this subchapter may bring suit for a declaratory judgment against the state to try the issue or issues.(b)  Service of citation on the state shall be made by serving the citation on the attorney general.|Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2479, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.020 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.020. Prima Facie Evidence

Sec. 61.020.  PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE.  (a)  In a suit or administrative proceeding brought or defended under this subchapter or whose determination is affected by this subchapter, a showing that the area in question is located in the area from mean low tide to the line of vegetation is prima facie evidence that:(1)  the title of the littoral owner does not include the right to prevent the public from using the area for ingress and egress to the sea; and(2)  there is imposed on the area a common law right or easement in favor of the public for ingress and egress to the sea.(b)  The determination of the location of the line of vegetation by the commissioner as provided by Sections 61.016 and 61.017 constitutes prima facie evidence of the landward boundary of the area subject to the public easement until a court adjudication establishes the line in another place.|Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2479, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.  Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 295, Sec. 11, eff. June 7, 1991.Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1256 (H.B. 2819), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2007.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.021 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.021. Area Not Covered by Subchapter

Sec. 61.021.  AREA NOT COVERED BY SUBCHAPTER.  (a)  None of the provisions of this subchapter apply to beaches on islands or peninsulas that are not accessible by a public road or ferry facility for as long as the condition exists.(b)  A local government or local official may not adopt, apply, or enforce a beach access and use plan or any other provision of this subchapter within a state or national park area, wildlife refuge, or other designated state or national natural area.(c)  Any requirement to keep a beach open for vehicular traffic under this subchapter or rules adopted under this subchapter does not apply to a beach or segment of a beach within 3,100 feet of a natural science laboratory in a county with a population of 40,000 or less.|Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2480, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.  Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 295, Sec. 14, eff. June 7, 1991.Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1175 (H.B. 3461), Sec. 32, eff. June 19, 2009.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.0211 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.0211. State or National Park Covered by Subchapter

Sec. 61.0211.  STATE OR NATIONAL PARK COVERED BY SUBCHAPTER.  This subchapter applies to any island or peninsula that is a state or national park or wildlife management area regardless of whether the island or peninsula is accessible by public road or ferry facility.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 295, Sec. 12, eff. June 7, 1991.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.023 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.023. Effect on Land Titles and Property Adjacent to and on Beaches

Sec. 61.023.  EFFECT ON LAND TITLES AND PROPERTY ADJACENT TO AND ON BEACHES.  The provisions of this subchapter shall not be construed as affecting in any way the title of the owners of land adjacent to any state-owned beach bordering on the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico or to the continuation of fences for the retention of livestock across sections of beach which are not accessible to motor vehicle traffic by public road or by beach.|Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2480, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.024 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.024. Effect of Subchapter on Definition of Public Beach

Sec. 61.024.  EFFECT OF SUBCHAPTER ON DEFINITION OF PUBLIC BEACH.  None of the provisions of this subchapter shall reduce, limit, construct, or vitiate the definition of public beaches which has been defined from time immemorial in law and custom.|Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2480, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.026 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter B. Access to Public Beaches|Section 61.026. Beach Access Public Awareness and Education

Sec. 61.026.  BEACH ACCESS PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION.  (a)  The land office in conjunction with the Texas Department of Transportation shall design and produce a uniform bilingual beach access sign to be used by local governments to designate access ways to and from public beaches.(b)  The land office may develop and distribute public information about the requirements of this chapter, the importance of natural beach and dune systems, and the necessity for preserving them.  Such information may include public service announcements made under the direction of the land office.(c)  The Texas A&M University Sea Grant Program shall make available to public schools materials for natural science classes which explain the importance of natural beach and dune systems and the necessity of preserving them.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 295, Sec. 15, eff. June 7, 1991.  Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 22(54), eff. Sept. 1, 1995;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 245, Sec. 6, eff. June 18, 2003.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.061 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter C. Maintenance of the Public Beaches|Section 61.061. Purpose

Sec. 61.061.  PURPOSE.  It is the purpose of this subchapter to allocate responsibility for cleaning the beaches of this state and to preserve and protect local initiative in the maintenance and administration of beaches.|Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2480, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.|
TX Nat Res Code § 61.062 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Natural Resources Code|Title 2 - Public Domain|Subtitle E - Beaches and Dunes|Chapter 61 - Use and Maintenance of Public Beaches|Subchapter C. Maintenance of the Public Beaches|Section 61.062. Public Policy

Sec. 61.062.  PUBLIC POLICY.  It is the public policy of this state that the public, individually and collectively, shall have the free and unrestricted right of ingress and egress to and from the state-owned beaches bordering on the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico if the public has acquired a right of use or easement to or over the area by prescription, dedication, or continuous use.  This creates a responsibility for the state, in its position as trustee for the public to assist local governments in the cleaning of beach areas which are subject to the access rights of the public as defined in Subchapter B  of this chapter.|Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2480, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.|