Certain vessel and terminal operators must keep evidence of financial responsibility for oil discharge costs and damages, and the commissioner has related authority after an unauthorized discharge.
Sec. 40.201. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. (a) Each owner or operator of a vessel subject to Section 40.114 of this code and operating within coastal waters or waters adjoining and accessible from coastal waters or any terminal facility subject to this code shall establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility for costs and damages from unauthorized discharges of oil pursuant to federal law or in any other manner provided in this chapter. (b) If a vessel subject to Section 40.114 of this code or a terminal facility is not required under federal law to establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility, the owner or operator of that vessel or terminal facility shall establish and maintain evidence in an amount and form prescribed by rules promulgated under this code. (c) Any owner or operator of a vessel that is a member of any protection and indemnity mutual organization, which is a member of the international group, any other owner or operator that is an assured of the Water Quality Insurance Syndicate, or an insured of any other organization approved by the commissioner, and which is covered for oil pollution risks up to the amounts required by federal law is in compliance with the financial responsibility requirements of this chapter. The commissioner shall specifically designate the organizations and the terms under which owners and operators of vessels shall demonstrate financial responsibility. (d) After an unauthorized discharge of oil, a vessel shall remain in the jurisdiction of the commissioner until the owner, operator, or person in charge has shown the commissioner evidence of financial responsibility. The commissioner may not detain the vessel longer than 12 hours after the vessel has proven financial responsibility. (e) In addition to any other remedy or enforcement provision, the commissioner may suspend a registrant's discharge prevention and response certificate or may deny a vessel entry into any port in coastal waters for failure to comply with this section. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 10, Sec. 1, eff. March 28, 1991. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 776, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.