bill sends boat fee money to derelict vessel cleanup

The text as introduced · 392 words

89R16241 KRM-D

By: Paul
H.B. No. 4538

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the transfer by the Parks and Wildlife Department to the

General Land Office of a portion of the revenue derived from vessel

registration fees to cover the cost of removing derelict vessels

from waterways.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 11.032, Parks and Wildlife Code, is

amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (d) to

read as follows:

(c) Not later than the 10th day of each month the department

may transfer an amount not to exceed 15 percent of all amounts

collected during the previous month from sources described by

Subsection (b)(16) [ (b)(15), (16), ] or (22) to the state parks

account.

(d) Not later than the 10th day of each month the

department:

(1) may transfer an amount not to exceed 10 percent of

all amounts collected during the previous month from a source

described by Subsection (b)(15) to the state parks account; and

(2) shall transfer an amount equal to 5 percent of all

amounts collected during the previous month from a source described

by Subsection (b)(15) to the derelict vessels and structures

account.

SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 40, Natural Resources

Code, is amended by adding Section 40.163 to read as follows:

Sec. 40.163. DERELICT VESSELS AND STRUCTURES ACCOUNT. (a)

The derelict vessels and structures account is a separate account

in the general revenue fund.

(b) The account consists of:

(1) transfers made to the account under Section

11.032(d)(2), Parks and Wildlife Code; and

(2) money appropriated to the General Land Office for

the removal and disposal of any vessel or structure described by

Section 40.108(a).

(c) The General Land Office may accept a gift, grant, or

bequest of money, securities, services, or property to carry out

any purpose related to the removal and disposal of any vessel or

structure described by Section 40.108(a). All money or securities

accepted under this subsection shall be deposited to the credit of

the account.

(d) The General Land Office may use money in the account

only to support the removal and disposal of any vessel or structure

described by Section 40.108(a).

(e) Money in the account not used in a fiscal year remains in

the account.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.