Section 66.024 - Seagrass Plants(a) In this section, "seagrass plant" means a flowering marine plant of the species: (1) Cymodocea filiformis, known as manatee grass;(2) Halodule beaudettei or Halodule wrightii, known as shoal grass;(3) Halophila engelmannii, known as star grass or Engelmann's seagrass;(4) Ruppia maritima, known as widgeon grass; or(5) Thalassia testudinum, known as turtle grass.(b) A person may not uproot or dig out any rooted seagrass plant from a bay bottom or other saltwater bottom area in the jurisdiction of this state by means of a propeller, except as that uprooting or digging out may be authorized by a commercial license or permit issued by the department.(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that a person:(1) anchors a vessel within an area containing seagrass plants and uproots a seagrass plant;(2) uses an electric trolling motor within an area containing seagrass plants and uproots a seagrass plant; or(3) operates a vessel in a manner consistent with the acceleration required to reach and stay on plane.(d) A person who violates this section or a proclamation of the commission under this section commits an offense that is a Class C Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.Tex. Parks and Wild. § 66.024
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 1071,Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2013.