{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-parks-and-wildlife-code-66.024","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Parks and Wildlife Code § 66.024","heading":"SEAGRASS PLANTS.","body":"(a) In this section, \"seagrass plant\" means a flowering marine plant of the species:\n(1) Cymodocea filiformis, known as manatee grass;\n(2) Halodule beaudettei or Halodule wrightii, known as shoal grass;\n(3) Halophila engelmannii, known as star grass or Engelmann's seagrass;\n(4) Ruppia maritima, known as widgeon grass; or\n(5) Thalassia testudinum, known as turtle grass.\n(b) A person may not uproot or dig out any rooted seagrass plant from a bay bottom or other saltwater bottom area in the jurisdiction of this state by means of a propeller, except as that uprooting or digging out may be authorized by a commercial license or permit issued by the department.\n(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that a person:\n(1) anchors a vessel within an area containing seagrass plants and uproots a seagrass plant;\n(2) uses an electric trolling motor within an area containing seagrass plants and uproots a seagrass plant; or\n(3) operates a vessel in a manner consistent with the acceleration required to reach and stay on plane.\n(d) A person who violates this section or a proclamation of the commission under this section commits an offense that is a Class C Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.\nAdded by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1071 (H.B. 3279), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.","path":["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"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PW/htm/PW.66.htm#66.024","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:32Z","sha256":"b375d8f4442bfccc241b6d8baf39d128a69f96286e943a4456be43c5c5c12247","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-parks-and-wildlife-code-66.023","next":"us-tx/tex.-parks-and-wildlife-code-66.102"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}