Bill Text: TX HB3604 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: Relating to the cleaning of a structure used to grow oysters for cultivated oyster mariculture.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-05-24 - Removed from local & uncontested calendar [HB3604 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB3604-Comm_Sub.html

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By: Vasut (Senate Sponsor - Huffman) H.B. No. 3604
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 8, 2023;
May 9, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Water,
Agriculture & Rural Affairs; May 19, 2023, reported favorably by
the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 19, 2023, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the cleaning of a structure used to grow oysters for
cultivated oyster mariculture.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 26, Water Code, is amended
by adding Section 26.0406 to read as follows:
Sec. 26.0406. GENERAL PERMITS FOR AQUACULTURE; EXEMPTION
FOR CLEANING STRUCTURES USED FOR GROWING OYSTERS. (a) A general
permit for aquaculture issued by the commission must allow the
holder of a cultivated oyster mariculture permit under Chapter 75,
Parks and Wildlife Code, to discharge into waters of this state
waste related to the cleaning of a structure used to grow oysters
for cultivated oyster mariculture in accordance with Subsection
(b).
(b) A cultivated oyster mariculture permit holder cleaning
a structure as described by Subsection (a):
(1) must clean the structure at the location where the
permit holder is authorized to operate and only with water from that
location;
(2) prior to use in cleaning, may not alter the
cleaning water in any way, including with the addition of soap,
chemicals, or any other similar substance; and
(3) in consultation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department, must comply with all other permit conditions
established by the commission.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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