reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.103 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter D. Boating Regulations|Section 31.103. Water Skis, Aquaplanes, Etc

Sec. 31.103.  WATER SKIS, AQUAPLANES, ETC.:  TIME AND MANNER OF OPERATION.  (a)  No person may operate a vessel on any water of this state towing a person or persons on water skis, surfboards, or similar devices and no person while being towed may engage in water-skiing, surfboarding or similar activity at any time between the hours from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.  This subsection does not apply to motorboats or vessels used in water ski tournaments, competitions, or exhibitions or trials therefor if adequate lighting is provided.(b)  All motorboats having in tow or otherwise assisting in towing a person on water skis, aquaplanes, or similar contrivances shall be operated in a careful and prudent manner and at a reasonable distance from persons and property so as not to endanger the life or property of any person.(c)  A person being towed on water skis, aquaplanes, or similar devices by a vessel is considered an occupant of the vessel.|Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 421, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.104 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter D. Boating Regulations|Section 31.104. Accidents: Duty of Operators

Sec. 31.104.  ACCIDENTS:  DUTY OF OPERATORS.  The operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or casualty shall:(1)  render to other persons affected such assistance as may be practicable and necessary in order to save them from or minimize any danger insofar as he can do so without serious danger to his own vessel, crew, and passengers;  and(2)  give his name, address, and identification of his vessel in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty.|Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.105 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter D. Boating Regulations|Section 31.105. Accident Reports

Sec. 31.105.  ACCIDENT REPORTS.  (a)  The operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty that results in death or injury to a person or damage to property in excess of an amount set by the commission of not less than $2,000 shall report to the department on or before the expiration of 30 days after the incident a full description of the collision, accident, or casualty in accordance with regulations established by the department.(b)  The accident reports are confidential and are inadmissible in court as evidence.(c)  On request made by an authorized official or agency of the United States, any information available to the department under Subsection (a) of this section shall be sent to the official or agency.|Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 835, ch. 311, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1977;  Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 543, Sec. 4, eff. June 14, 1989.Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 474 (H.B. 555), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.106 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter D. Boating Regulations|Section 31.106. Personal Watercraft

Sec. 31.106.  PERSONAL WATERCRAFT.  (a)  No person shall operate a personal watercraft in the following manner or under the following circumstances:(1)  unless each person riding on or towed behind the vessel is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device;(2)  if the vessel is equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard type engine cutoff switch, unless such lanyard is attached to the person, clothing, or personal flotation device of the operator as appropriate for the vessel involved;(3)  during the period between sunset and sunrise;(4)  within 50 feet of any other vessel, person, stationary platform or other object, or shore, except at headway speed;(5)  if the operator is under 13 years of age unless the operator is supervised by another person who:(A)  is at least 18 years of age;(B)  can lawfully operate the watercraft; and(C)  is on board the watercraft when under way;(6)  if the personal watercraft is a motorboat, within any area prohibited for operation of a motorboat by state law or local rule or regulation;(7)  while towing water skis, an aquaplane, a surfboard, a tube, or any other similar device, unless the towing vessel is designed to carry on board a minimum of two persons;(8)  by jumping the wake of another vessel recklessly or unnecessarily close to that vessel; or(9)  in a manner that requires the operator to swerve at the last possible moment to avoid collision.(b)  The provisions of this section do not apply to professional exhibitions or an officially sanctioned race, tournament, or exhibition.(c)  Subsection (a)(4) of this section does not prohibit the operation of personal watercraft on bodies of water less than 100 feet in width.(d)  An owner of a personal watercraft permitting a person under 18 years of age to operate the personal watercraft in a manner prohibited by this section may be notified of the violation.(e)  For the purposes of this section, a person is considered to be accompanying the operator of a personal watercraft if the person is on board the personal watercraft when underway.|Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 571, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.  Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 739, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1363, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 269 (H.B. 1395), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.107 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter D. Boating Regulations|Section 31.107. Operation of Motorboat

Sec. 31.107.  OPERATION OF MOTORBOAT.  No person may operate a motorboat powered by a motor with a manufacturer's rating of more than 15 horsepower on the public waters of this state unless the person is at least 13 years of age or is supervised by another person who:(1)  is at least 18 years of age;(2)  can lawfully operate the motorboat; and(3)  is on board the motorboat when under way.|Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1006, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.  Renumbered from Sec. 31.106 by Acts 1990, 71st Leg., 6th C.S., ch. 12, Sec. 2(23), eff. Sept. 6, 1990.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1363, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 269 (H.B. 1395), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.1071 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter D. Boating Regulations|Section 31.1071. Operation of Motorboat With Emergency Engine Cutoff Switch

Sec. 31.1071.  OPERATION OF MOTORBOAT WITH EMERGENCY ENGINE CUTOFF SWITCH.  (a)  In this section, "engine cutoff switch" means an emergency switch installed on a motorboat that:(1)  is designed to shut off the engine if:(A)  the motorboat operator using a lanyard attachment activates the switch by falling overboard or otherwise moving beyond the length of the lanyard; or(B)  the motorboat operator or a passenger using a wireless attachment activates the switch by falling overboard and submerging a man-overboard transmitter; and(2)  attaches:(A)  physically to the motorboat operator through the use of a lanyard worn by the operator; or(B)  wirelessly through the use of a water-activated man-overboard transmitter worn by the motorboat operator or any similarly equipped passenger on the motorboat.(b)  A motorboat operator may not operate a motorboat less than 26 feet in length and equipped by the manufacturer with an engine cutoff switch while the motorboat is under way and moving at greater than headway speed without first verifying that the switch is operational and fully functional and properly attaching the lanyard or wireless attachment, as appropriate for the specific motorboat, to the operator's body or to the clothing or personal flotation device being worn by the operator.|Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1030 (H.B. 337), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.108 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter D. Boating Regulations|Section 31.108. Boater Education Program

Sec. 31.108.  BOATER EDUCATION PROGRAM.  (a)  The commission shall adopt rules to:(1)  administer a boater education program that is designed to educate persons about the safe operation of vessels;(2)  approve boater education courses that meet or exceed the minimum instruction requirement, as the requirement exists on January 1, 1997, established by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators;(3)  create an equivalency examination that may be taken, as the commission determines is consistent with promoting public safety in the operation of vessels, instead of the boater education course;  and(4)  ensure that boater education courses and examinations are available in each county.(a-1)  A boater education course or equivalency examination under this section must include information on how to prevent the spread of exotic harmful or potentially harmful aquatic plants, fish, and shellfish, including department-approved methods for cleaning:(1)  a boat;(2)  a boat's motor;(3)  fishing and other equipment; and(4)  a boat trailer.(b)  The commission by rule may create exemptions from boater education requirements imposed by statute to the extent the exemptions are consistent with promoting public safety in the operation of vessels.(c)  The commission by rule shall create a standard form for a boater identification card to be issued to a person who successfully completes a boater education course or course equivalency examination.(d)  The department may appoint agents to:(1)  administer a boater education course or course equivalency examination;  and(2)  issue boater identification cards under guidelines established by the commission.(e)  An officer or employee of the department shall collect a $5 examination or course fee and forward the fee and any examination documentation to the department not later than the 30th day after the date the examination or course is administered.(f)  An agent acting under authority of Subsection (d):(1)  shall collect a $10 examination or course fee and forward the fee and any examination documentation to the department not later than the 30th day after the date the examination or course is administered; and(2)  may collect and keep a $3 service fee, or an amount set by the commission, whichever is greater.|Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1363, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1254 (H.B. 3722), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 142 (H.B. 597), Sec. 1, eff. May 24, 2013.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.109 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter D. Boating Regulations|Section 31.109. Boater Education Course Required for Certain Persons

Sec. 31.109.  BOATER EDUCATION COURSE REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN PERSONS.  (a)  This section applies only to a person who is:(1)  born on or after September 1, 1993; and(2)  operating on the public water of this state:(A)  a vessel powered by a motor with a manufacturer's rating of more than 15 horsepower; or(B)  a windblown vessel over 14 feet in length.(b)  A person subject to this section must have in the person's possession  a photographic identification card and either:(1)  a boater identification card issued by the department; or(2)  proof of completion of the requirements to obtain a vessel operator's license issued by the United States Coast Guard.(c)  The department shall issue a boater identification card to a person who has successfully completed:(1)  a boater education course approved by the department;  or(2)  a course equivalency examination approved by the department.(d)  A boater identification card issued to a person who has successfully completed a boater education course or course equivalency examination does not expire.(e)  If, on or before the trial of a person charged with an offense for failing to possess a document required under Subsection (b), the person produces for the court or the prosecuting attorney a document required by Subsection (b) that was issued to the person and was valid at the time of the offense, the court shall dismiss the charge.(f)  A person charged with a Class C Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor for failing to possess a document required under Subsection (b) may make to the court not later than the 10th day after the date of the alleged offense an oral or written motion requesting permission to take a boater education course approved by the department or a vessel operator's licensing course provided by the United States Coast Guard.  The court shall defer the proceedings brought against a person who makes a motion described by this subsection and allow the person 90 days to present written evidence that the person has successfully completed the course approved by the department or provided by the United States Coast Guard.  If the person successfully completes the course and the court accepts the presented evidence, the court shall dismiss the charge.|Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1363, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 269 (H.B. 1395), Sec. 3, eff. June 17, 2011.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.110 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter D. Boating Regulations|Section 31.110. Exemption From Boater Education Course Requirement; Deferral Program

Sec. 31.110.  EXEMPTION FROM BOATER EDUCATION COURSE REQUIREMENT; DEFERRAL PROGRAM.  (a)  A person is not required to comply with Section 31.109 if the person:(1)  holds a master's, mate's, or operator's license issued by the United States Coast Guard;(2)  is supervised by a person who is at least 18 years of age and who  is otherwise exempt from the requirements of Section 31.109 or possesses a boater identification card as required by Section 31.109;(3)   is not a resident of this state and has proof that the person has successfully completed a boater education course or equivalency examination in another state that is approved by the department;(4)  is exempt by rule of the commission as a customer of a business engaged in renting, showing, demonstrating, or testing boats; or(5)  is exempt by rule of the commission.(b)  For purposes of this section, to be considered to be supervising the operator of a watercraft, the person must be on board the watercraft when under way.(c)  The commission by rule shall establish a boater education deferral program.  The deferral program must be available at no cost to boat dealers, manufacturers, and distributors.|Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1363, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 269 (H.B. 1395), Sec. 4, eff. June 17, 2011.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.111 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter D. Boating Regulations|Section 31.111. Operating Vessel Livery

Sec. 31.111.  OPERATING VESSEL LIVERY.  (a)  A vessel livery must purchase liability insurance from an insurer licensed to do business in this state.(b)  Before releasing possession of a rented vessel, a vessel livery shall provide each operator of the rented vessel instruction relating to:(1)  the provisions of this chapter;(2)  operational characteristics of the rented vessel;  and(3)  boating regulations that apply in the area of operation of the vessel.(c)  After providing the instruction required by Subsection (b) and before releasing possession of the rented vessel, the vessel livery shall require each operator to sign an acknowledgment form indicating that the operator has received the required instruction.  The vessel livery shall retain the form for at least six months.|Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1363, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.121 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter E. Enforcement and Penalties|Section 31.121. Enforcement Officers

Sec. 31.121.  ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.  (a)  In this section:(1)  "Game warden" means a person who is commissioned as a game warden by the commission.(2)  "State military forces" has the meaning assigned by Section 437.001, Government Code.(a-1)  All peace officers of this state and game wardens must be certified as marine safety enforcement officers by the department to enforce the provisions of this chapter by arresting and taking into custody any person who commits any act or offense prohibited by this chapter or who violates any provision of this chapter.(a-2)  Game wardens commissioned by the commission are the primary enforcement officers responsible for enforcing the provisions of this chapter related to water safety.(b)  The commission by rule shall establish standards for training and certifying marine safety enforcement officers under this section.(c)  The commission by rule may create exemptions for peace officers from marine safety enforcement officer training and certification requirements imposed by statute.(d)  The commission by rule shall establish and collect a fee to recover the administrative costs associated with the certification of marine safety enforcement officers.  The commission shall require the applicant for certification or the applicant's employer to pay the fee required under this section.(e)  State military forces may assist game wardens in the search for and rescue of victims of water-oriented accidents.|Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1363, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 788 (H.B. 2138), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 789 (H.B. 2141), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 161 (S.B. 1093), Sec. 22.001(37), eff. September 1, 2013.Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1217 (S.B. 1536), Sec. 3.18, eff. September 1, 2013.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.1211 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter E. Enforcement and Penalties|Section 31.1211. Jurisdiction of Municipal Peace Officers

Sec. 31.1211.  JURISDICTION OF MUNICIPAL PEACE OFFICERS.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other law limiting the enforcement jurisdiction of a peace officer, a peace officer of a municipality who is certified as a marine safety enforcement officer under Section 31.121 may enforce the provisions of this chapter within an area of a lake that is outside the enforcement jurisdiction of the peace officer if:(1)  any portion of the lake is contained in the corporate limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction of the municipality; and(2)  the municipality has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the governmental entity having enforcement jurisdiction in that area granting the peace officer enforcement jurisdiction in the area.(b)  The memorandum of understanding under Subsection (a)(2) must:(1)  designate the jurisdiction that has the authority to conduct any prosecution or ongoing investigation of a violation resulting from an enforcement action under this section; and(2)  be approved by the Parks and Wildlife Department.|Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 975 (S.B. 410), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.122 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter E. Enforcement and Penalties|Section 31.122. Water Safety Vessels: Lights

Sec. 31.122.  WATER SAFETY VESSELS:  LIGHTS.  Only the department and police water safety vessels may use rotating or flashing blue beacon lights.|Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 543, Sec. 5, eff. June 14, 1989.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.123 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter E. Enforcement and Penalties|Section 31.123. Required Response to Police Water Safety Vessel

Sec. 31.123.  REQUIRED RESPONSE TO POLICE WATER SAFETY VESSEL.  The operator of a vessel underway, on sighting a rotating or flashing blue beacon light, shall reduce power immediately and bring the vessel to a no-wake speed and subsequent stop until the intention of the water safety vessel is understood.|Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 543, Sec. 6, eff. June 14, 1989.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.124 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter E. Enforcement and Penalties|Section 31.124. Inspection of Vessels

Sec. 31.124.  INSPECTION OF VESSELS.  (a)  In order to enforce the provisions of this chapter, an enforcement officer may stop and board any vessel subject to this chapter and may inspect the boat to determine compliance with applicable provisions.(b)  An officer boarding a vessel shall first identify himself by presenting proper credentials.(c)  The operator of a vessel required by this chapter to hold a certificate of number aboard the vessel shall show the certificate to the officer on demand, and failure to do so constitutes a violation of this chapter.(d)  No person operating a boat on the water of this state may refuse to obey the directions of an enforcement officer when the officer is acting under the provisions of this chapter.(e)  The safety of the vessel shall always be the paramount consideration of an arresting officer.(f)  If an enforcement officer determines that a vessel and its associated equipment is being used in violation of this chapter or of any regulation or standard issued thereunder so as to create an especially hazardous condition, he may direct the operator to return to mooring, and the vessel may not be used until the condition creating the violation is corrected.|Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.125 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter E. Enforcement and Penalties|Section 31.125. Violations; Notice to Appear

Sec. 31.125.  VIOLATIONS;  NOTICE TO APPEAR.  (a)  An enforcement officer who arrests a person for a violation of this chapter may deliver to the alleged violator a written notice to appear within 15 days after the date of the violation before the justice court having jurisdiction of the offense.(b)  The person arrested shall sign the notice to appear promising to make his appearance in accordance with the requirements set forth in the notice.  After signing the notice the person may be released.  Failure to appear before the court in the county having jurisdiction constitutes a violation of the chapter.  A warrant for the arrest of the person failing to appear may be issued.|Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.|
TX Pks & Wildlife Code § 31.126 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Parks and Wildlife Code|Title 4 - Water Safety|Chapter 31 - Water Safety|Subchapter E. Enforcement and Penalties|Section 31.126. Venue

Sec. 31.126.  VENUE.  (a)  Venue for an alleged violation or offense under the provisions of this chapter is in the justice court, county court, or municipal court having jurisdiction where the violation or offense was committed.(b)  For an offense under the provisions of this chapter, there is a presumption that the offense was committed in the justice precinct and county where the dam containing the body of water is located.|Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 176 (H.B. 1222), Sec. 1, eff. May 25, 2013.|