Texas · Through 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025

Tex. Parks and Wildlife Code § 66.0073: RULES REQUIRING WATER TO BE DRAINED.

(a) In this section:
(1) "Public water" has the meaning assigned by Section 66.015.
(2) "Salt water" has the meaning assigned by Section 66.001.
(3) "Vessel" has the meaning assigned by Section 31.003.
(b) The commission may adopt rules requiring a person leaving or approaching public water to drain from a vessel or portable container on board the vessel any water that has been collected from or has come in contact with public water. This subsection does not apply to salt water.
(c) When promulgating rules described by Subsection (b), the commission shall consider the effects on boaters, anglers, and local interests while maintaining the ability to prevent the spread of harmful or potentially harmful exotic fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants.
(d) If the commission adopts rules described by Subsection (b), an authorized employee of the department may inspect a vessel leaving or approaching public water, including any portable containers on board the vessel, for the presence of water. This subsection does not apply to a vessel that is on public water.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 908 (H.B. 1241), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.

Where this section sits in the code

PARKS AND WILDLIFE CODE
TITLE 5. WILDLIFE AND PLANT CONSERVATION
SUBTITLE B. HUNTING AND FISHING
CHAPTER 66. FISH AND AQUATIC PLANTS
SUBCHAPTER A. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER FISHING AND AQUATIC PLANTS

(a) In this section:

(1) "Public water" has the meaning assigned by Section 66.015.

(2) "Salt water" has the meaning assigned by Section 66.001.

(3) "Vessel" has the meaning assigned by Section 31.003.

(b) The commission may adopt rules requiring a person leaving or approaching public water to drain from a vessel or portable container on board the vessel any water that has been collected from or has come in contact with public water. This subsection does not apply to salt water.

(c) When promulgating rules described by Subsection (b), the commission shall consider the effects on boaters, anglers, and local interests while maintaining the ability to prevent the spread of harmful or potentially harmful exotic fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants.

(d) If the commission adopts rules described by Subsection (b), an authorized employee of the department may inspect a vessel leaving or approaching public water, including any portable containers on board the vessel, for the presence of water. This subsection does not apply to a vessel that is on public water.

Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 908 (H.B. 1241), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.

Collected 2026-08-27T01:47:32Z. Source file · JSON

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