HB4661 - Relating to the closure of beaches for space flight activities; creating a criminal offense.

  89R10615 ANG-F     By: Lopez of Cameron, Curry, LaHood, Paul, H.B. No. 4661       Morales of Maverick, et al.       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the closure of beaches for space flight activities;   creating a criminal offense.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 61.132, Natural Resources Code, is   amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (g) to   read as follows:          (c)  To protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the   commissioners court by order :                 (1)     shall compel the evacuation of any unauthorized   person from a hazard area, as calculated by the Federal Aviation   Administration under 14 C.F.R. Section 450.133(c), on a launch   date; and                 (2)   may temporarily close a beach in reasonable   proximity to the launch site or access points to the beach in the   county on a primary or backup launch date, subject to Subsection   (d).           (g)     A person commits an offense if the person violates an   order adopted under Subsection (c)(1). An offense under this   subsection is a Class B misdemeanor, except that the offense is a   Class A misdemeanor if the actor has previously been convicted of an   offense under this subsection.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.