Natural Resources Code § 115.033

Sec. 115.033. ACTION IN REM. (a) If the attorney general is advised of the presence of unlawful oil or an unlawful petroleum product, the attorney general shall bring an action in rem in the name of the state in Travis County or in the county in which the oil or petroleum product is located against the unlawful oil or petroleum product and against each person who owns, claims, or is in possession of the oil or petroleum product. (b) If it appears to the court from an examination of the petition or after hearing evidence on the petition at a preliminary hearing that the unlawful oil or petroleum product mentioned in the petition is in danger of being removed, wasted, lost, or destroyed, the court shall: (1) issue restraining orders or injunctive relief, either mandatory or prohibitive; (2) appoint a receiver to take charge of the oil or petroleum product; or (3) direct the sheriff of the county in which the unlawful oil or petroleum product is located to seize and impound the oil or petroleum product pending further orders of the court. (c) A party to the action may demand a trial by jury on any issue of fact raised by the pleadings, and the case shall proceed to trial in the manner provided for other civil cases. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.