Tex. Nat. Resources Code Section 40.203
Liability for Natural Resources Damages

(a)

The commissioner, on behalf of the trustees, shall seek reimbursement from the federal fund for damages to natural resources in excess of the liability limits prescribed in Section 40.202 (Response Costs and Damages Liability) of this code. If that request is denied or additional money is required following receipt of the federal money, the commissioner has the authority to pay the requested reimbursement from the fund for a period of two years from the date the federal fund grants or denies the request for reimbursement.

(b)

In addition to liability under Section 40.202 (Response Costs and Damages Liability) of this code, persons responsible for actual or threatened unauthorized discharges of oil are liable for natural resources damages attributable to the discharge.

(c)

The total liability for all natural resource damages of any person responsible for an actual or threatened unauthorized discharge of oil from a vessel shall not exceed the following:

(1)

for a vessel that carries oil in bulk, as cargo, the greater of:

(A)

$1,200 per gross ton; or

(B)

(i) in the case of a vessel greater than 3,000 gross tons, $10 million; or
(ii)
in the case of a vessel of 3,000 gross tons or less, $2 million; or

(2)

for any other vessel, $600 per gross ton or $500,000, whichever is greater.

(d)

The total liability for all natural resource damages of any person responsible for an actual or threatened unauthorized discharge of oil from a terminal facility shall not exceed the following:

(1)

for each terminal facility with a capacity:

(A)

above 150,000 barrels, $70 per barrel not to exceed $350,000,000;

(B)

from 70,001 to 150,000 barrels, $10,000,000;

(C)

from 30,001 to 70,000 barrels, $5,000,000;

(D)

from 10,000 to 30,000 barrels, $2,000,000;

(2)

for any other terminal, $500,000.

(e)

The commissioner shall ensure that there will be no double recovery of damages or response costs.

(f)

If any actual or threatened unauthorized discharge of oil was the result of gross negligence or wilful misconduct or a violation of any applicable federal or state safety, construction, or operating regulation, the person responsible for such gross negligence or wilful misconduct or a violation of any applicable federal or state safety, construction, or operating regulation is liable for the full amount of all damages to natural resources.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 10, Sec. 1, eff. March 28, 1991. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 776, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Source: Section 40.203 — Liability for Natural Resources Damages, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/NR/htm/NR.­40.­htm#40.­203 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

40.001
Short Title 40.002
Policy 40.003
Definitions 40.004
Administration of Oil Spill Response and Cleanup 40.005
Administration of Hazardous Substance Spill Response and Cleanup 40.007
General Powers and Duties 40.008
Railroad Commission Authority 40.051
Notification 40.052
Hazardous Substances Discharges 40.101
Notification and Response 40.102
Response Coordination 40.103
Assistance and Compensation 40.104
Qualified Immunity for Response Actions 40.105
Equipment and Personnel 40.106
Refusal to Cooperate 40.107
Natural Resources Damages 40.108
Derelict Vessels and Structures 40.109
Registration of Terminal Facilities 40.110
General Terms 40.111
Information 40.112
Issuance 40.113
Suspension 40.114
Contingency Plans for Vessels 40.116
Audits, Inspections, and Drills 40.117
Regulations 40.151
Coastal Protection Fund 40.152
Use of Fund 40.153
Reimbursement of Fund 40.154
Coastal Protection Fee 40.155
Determination of Fee 40.156
Administration of Fee 40.157
Liability of the Fund 40.158
Exceptions to Liability 40.159
Claims from Discharges of Oil 40.160
Payment of Awards 40.161
Reimbursement of Fund 40.162
Awards Exceeding Fund 40.201
Financial Responsibility 40.202
Response Costs and Damages Liability 40.203
Liability for Natural Resources Damages 40.204
Defenses 40.205
Third Parties 40.251
Penalties 40.252
Administrative Penalties 40.253
Cumulative Enforcement 40.254
Orders and Hearings 40.255
Actions 40.256
Individual Cause of Action 40.257
Venue 40.258
Federal Law 40.301
Interstate Compacts 40.302
Institutions of Higher Education 40.304
Small Spill Education Program
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Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 40.203’s source at texas​.gov