Tex. Parks & Wild. Code Section 31.121
Enforcement Officers


(a)

In this section:

(1)

“Game warden” means a person who is commissioned as a game warden by the commission.

(2)

“State military forces” has the meaning assigned by Section 437.001 (Definitions), Government Code.

(a-1)

All peace officers of this state and game wardens must be certified as marine safety enforcement officers by the department to enforce the provisions of this chapter by arresting and taking into custody any person who commits any act or offense prohibited by this chapter or who violates any provision of this chapter.

(a-2)

Game wardens commissioned by the commission are the primary enforcement officers responsible for enforcing the provisions of this chapter related to water safety.

(b)

The commission by rule shall establish standards for training and certifying marine safety enforcement officers under this section.

(c)

The commission by rule may create exemptions for peace officers from marine safety enforcement officer training and certification requirements imposed by statute.

(d)

The commission by rule shall establish and collect a fee to recover the administrative costs associated with the certification of marine safety enforcement officers. The commission shall require the applicant for certification or the applicant’s employer to pay the fee required under this section.

(e)

State military forces may assist game wardens in the search for and rescue of victims of water-oriented accidents.
Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1363, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 788 (H.B. 2138), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 789 (H.B. 2141), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 161 (S.B. 1093), Sec. 22.001(37), eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1217 (S.B. 1536), Sec. 3.18, eff. September 1, 2013.

Source: Section 31.121 — Enforcement Officers, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/PW/htm/PW.­31.­htm#31.­121 (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

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 31.121’s source at texas​.gov