Some governmental entities may build or maintain certain shoreline and navigation structures, but local governments are limited in how they regulate beach-related vehicle traffic and fees.
Sec. 61.022. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND SUBDIVISIONS. (a) The provisions of this subchapter do not prevent any of the following governmental entities from erecting or maintaining any groin, seawall, barrier, pass, channel, jetty, or other structure as an aid to navigation, protection of the shore, fishing, safety, or other lawful purpose authorized by the constitution or laws of this state or the United States: (1) an agency, department, institution, subdivision, or instrumentality of the federal government; (2) an agency, department, institution, or instrumentality of this state; (3) a county; (4) a municipality; (5) a subdivision of this state, other than a county or municipality, acting in partnership with the county or municipality in which the structure is located; or (6) a subdivision of this state, acting with the approval of the commissioner, if the structure is a shore protection structure that: (A) is designed to protect public infrastructure, including a state or county highway or bridge; (B) is located on land that: (i) is state-owned submerged land or was acquired for the project by a subdivision of this state; and (ii) is located in or adjacent to the mouth of a natural inlet from the Gulf of Mexico; and (C) extends at least 1,000 feet along the shoreline. (a-1) In granting approval of a shore protection structure under Subsection (a)(6) of this section, the commissioner may specify requirements for the design and location of the structure or any public parking area required by Section 61.017(e). (b) No local government may regulate vehicular traffic so as to prohibit vehicles from an area of public beach or impose or increase public beach access, parking, or use fees in any manner inconsistent with the policies of Section 61.011 of this code or the rules promulgated thereunder. (c) A local government proposing to adopt or amend such vehicular traffic regulations, except those for public safety, or fees shall submit a plan detailing the proposed action to the commissioner for review. The commissioner shall certify whether the proposed action is consistent or inconsistent with such policies and rules. Certifications of consistency shall be by adoption into the rules promulgated under Section 61.011. (d) Subsections (b) and (c) of this section take effect only on adoption of final rules by the commissioner under Section 61.011 of this code. Subsections (b) and (c) of this section do not apply to any existing local government traffic regulation or beach access, parking, or use fee adopted or enacted before the effective date of Subsections (b) and (c) of this section, and the former law is continued in effect for the purpose of the existing regulations and fees, until the regulations or fees are amended or changed in whole or in part. (e) State-owned or public land not specifically exempted by this chapter shall be subject to the same requirements of this chapter as land owned by private littoral owners except as provided by Sections 31.161 through 31.167 of this code. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2480, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 295, Sec. 13, eff. June 7, 1991; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 245, Sec. 5, eff. June 18, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 377 (H.B. 1445), Sec. 2, eff. June 19, 2009.