Tex. Parks & Wild. Code Section 31.003
Definitions

In this chapter:

(1)

“Boat” means a vessel not more than 65 feet in length, measured from the tip of the bow in a straight line to the stern.

(2)

“Vessel” means any watercraft, other than a seaplane on water, used or capable of being used for transportation on water.

(3)

“Motorboat” means any vessel propelled or designed to be propelled by machinery, whether or not the machinery is permanently or temporarily affixed or is the principal source of propulsion.

(4)

“Owner” means the person who rightfully claims lawful possession of a vessel by virtue of the legal title or an equitable interest.

(5)

“Water of this state” means any public water within the territorial limits of this state.

(6)

“Operate” means to navigate or otherwise use a motorboat or a vessel.

(7)

“Dealer” means a person engaged in the business of buying, selling, selling on consignment, displaying for sale, or exchanging at least five vessels, motorboats, or outboard motors during a calendar year.

(8)

“Vessel livery” means a business establishment engaged in renting or hiring out vessels for profit.

(9)

Repealed by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1363, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

(10)

“Reasonable time” means 15 days.

(11)

“Manufacturer” means a person engaged in the business of manufacturing new and unused vessels and outboard motors for the purpose of sale or trade.

(12)

“New” means every vessel or outboard motor after its manufacture and before its sale or other transfer to a person not a manufacturer or dealer.

(13)

“Outboard motor” means any self-contained internal combustion propulsion system, excluding fuel supply, which is used to propel a vessel and which is detachable as a unit from the vessel.

(14)

“Personal watercraft” means a type of motorboat that is specifically designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel rather than in the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.

(15)

“Authorized agent” means a dealer who is authorized by the department under Section 31.006 (Appointment of Authorized Agent) of this code to collect taxes and fees and issue certificates of number.

(16)

“Distributor” means a person who offers for sale, sells, or processes for distribution new vessels or outboard motors to dealers in this state.

(17)

“Coast Guard” means the United States Coast Guard.

(18)

“Abandoned vessel or outboard motor” means a vessel or outboard motor that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in charge of the property for more than seven consecutive days.
Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975. Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 1252, ch. 484, Sec. 1(a), (b), eff. Sept. 1, 1977; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 571, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 718, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 450, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 739, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 26.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1256, Sec. 21, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1363, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 200, Sec. 8(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1133, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 108 (S.B. 489), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 720 (H.B. 787), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1127 (H.B. 308), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 161 (S.B. 1093), Sec. 22.001(36), eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 286 (H.B. 1106), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1249 (H.B. 4032), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.

Source: Section 31.003 — Definitions, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/PW/htm/PW.­31.­htm#31.­003 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

31.001
Title 31.002
State Policy 31.003
Definitions 31.004
Application of Chapter 31.005
Contracts with Federal Government 31.006
Appointment of Authorized Agent 31.021
Required Numbering 31.022
Exemptions from Required Numbering 31.023
Vessels Numbered Under Federal or Other State Law 31.024
Application for Number 31.025
Renewal of Certificates of Number 31.026
Fees 31.028
Certificate of Number 31.029
Term of Certificate of Number 31.030
Duplicate Certificates and Decals 31.031
Numbering Pattern 31.032
Numbering Location and Visibility 31.033
Unauthorized Numbers Prohibited 31.034
Issuance of Numbers by Department or Authorized Agent 31.035
Rules and Regulations 31.036
Proof of Ownership 31.037
Change in Ownership Interest 31.038
Change of Address 31.039
Public Records 31.040
Vessel Liveries 31.041
Duties of Dealers, Distributors, and Manufacturers 31.042
Cancellation of Certificates of Number 31.043
Manufacturer’s Identification Number 31.044
Inspections 31.045
Ownership of Vessels and Outboard Motors 31.046
Application for Certificate of Title 31.047
Application 31.048
Fee 31.049
Form of Certificate of Title 31.050
Form of Manufacturer’s and Importer’s Certificate 31.051
Replacement Certificates 31.052
Security Interest Liens 31.053
Transfers of Vessels and Outboard Motors 31.055
Exceptions 31.056
Fee Exemption for Government Vessels and Outboard Motors 31.061
Uniformity of Equipment Regulations 31.062
Operation of Vessels Without Required Equipment Prohibited 31.063
Classes of Motorboats 31.064
Lights 31.065
Sound-producing Devices 31.066
Life Preserving Devices 31.067
Fire Extinguishers 31.068
Flame Arrestors 31.069
Ventilators 31.070
Exhaust Water Manifold 31.071
Rearview Mirrors 31.072
Racing Boats 31.073
Canoes, Punts, Rowboats, Sailboats, Rubber Rafts, Racing Shells, Rowing Sculls, Kayaks, and Other Paddle Craft 31.074
Visual Distress Signal 31.091
Uniformity of Boating Regulations 31.092
Local Regulations 31.093
Rules of the Road 31.094
Reckless or Negligent Operation 31.095
Excessive Speed 31.096
Reckless Operation and Excessive Speed 31.098
Hazardous Wake or Wash 31.099
Prohibition on Circular Course Around Individuals Engaged in Water Activities 31.100
Interference with Markers or Ramps 31.101
Obstructing Passage 31.102
Operating Boats in Restricted Areas 31.103
Water Skis, Aquaplanes, Etc 31.104
Accidents: Duty of Operators 31.105
Incident Reports 31.106
Personal Watercraft 31.107
Operation of Motorboat 31.108
Boater Education Program 31.109
Boater Education Course Required for Certain Persons 31.110
Exemption from Boater Education Course Requirement 31.111
Operating Vessel Livery 31.121
Enforcement Officers 31.122
Water Safety Vessels: Lights 31.123
Required Response to Police Water Safety Vessel 31.124
Inspection of Vessels 31.125
Violations 31.126
Venue 31.127
Penalties and Fines 31.128
Disposition of Fines 31.129
Violation and Enforcement of Sewage Disposal Regulations 31.130
Boater Education Course Permitted in Lieu of Fine 31.131
Boater Education Course Required for Certain Violations 31.132
Reporting Procedures for Enforcement Officers 31.141
Boat Ramps 31.142
Buoys and Markers 31.171
Definitions 31.172
Applicability 31.173
Party Boat Operator and Staff 31.174
Boat Requirements 31.175
Passenger Safety Information 31.176
Party Boat Operator License 31.177
Fees 31.178
Drug and Alcohol Testing 31.179
Enforcement 31.180
Rules 31.0341
Issuance of Numbers: County Tax Assessor-collector 31.0391
Release of Information 31.0411
Term of License 31.0412
Licensing Rules 31.0413
Exemption from Dealer Licensing Requirements 31.0465
Appeal Regarding Certificate of Title 31.0466
Title for Abandoned Vessel 31.1021
Operating Vessels in Scuba Diving or Snorkeling Areas 31.1055
Release of Incident Reports 31.1071
Operation of Motorboat with Emergency Engine Cutoff Switch 31.1211
Jurisdiction of Municipal Peace Officers
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 31.003’s source at texas​.gov