Bill Text: TX HB337 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled


Bill Title: Relating to the use of emergency engine cutoff switches on motorboats; creating a criminal offense.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-14 - Effective on 9/1/19 [HB337 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB337-Enrolled.html
 
 
  H.B. No. 337
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of emergency engine cutoff switches on
  motorboats; creating a criminal offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 31, Parks and Wildlife
  Code, is amended by adding Section 31.1071 to read as follows:
         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.
         SECTION 2.  Section 31.127, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection
  (g) to read as follows:
         (g)  A person who operates a motorboat in violation of
  Section 31.1071 commits an offense punishable by a fine of not more
  than $200.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 337 was passed by the House on March
  26, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 115, Nays 31, 1 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 337 on May 22, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 115, Nays 26,
  2 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 337 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 14, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 25, Nays
  6.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor       
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