NATIONAL PARKS, NATIONAL SEASHORES, AND OTHER FEDERAL LANDS

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code ch. 23
in effect

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.001. LIMITED JURISDICTION RETAINED.

The state retains jurisdiction in the Big Bend National Park, concurrently with the United States, as though cession had not occurred, for: (1) the service of criminal and civil process, issued under the authority of the state, on any person amenable to service; and (2) the assessment and collection of taxes on the sales of products and commodities and on franchises and property.

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.002. PARK RESIDENTS MAY VOTE.

A person residing in Big Bend National Park may vote in all elections in the county of his residence, subject to the same conditions as other residents of the county, as though cession had not occurred. SUBCHAPTER B. PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.011. LIMITED JURISDICTION RETAINED.

The state retains jurisdiction in the Padre Island National Seashore, concurrently with the United States, as though cession had not occurred, for: (1) the service of criminal and civil process, issued under the authority of the state, on any person amenable to service; and (2) the assessment and collection of taxes on the sales and use, or the gross receipts from the sales, of products and commodities and on franchises, properties, and incomes.

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.012. SEASHORE RESIDENTS MAY VOTE.

A person residing in the Padre Island National Seashore may vote in all elections in the county of his residence, subject to the same conditions as other residents of the county, as though cession had not occurred.

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.013. REGULATIONS OF RAILROAD COMMISSION.

(a) The Railroad Commission shall send by certified mail to the Secretary of Interior of the United States a copy of each proposed rule or regulation affecting mineral rights reserved in deeds conveying land in the Padre Island National Seashore to the United States. (b) The Department of Interior has 30 days from the day a copy of a proposed rule or regulation is received to send to the Railroad Commission its objections or exceptions. An objection or exception must be sent by certified mail. Thereupon, a rule or regulation, with amendments, if any, promulgated by the Railroad Commission, takes effect. (c) The development and recovery of minerals in the Padre Island National Seashore shall be carried out in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with the use of the land for park purposes.

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.014. REVERSION TO STATE.

(a) Any deed executed by the state to the United States for the creation of Padre Island National Seashore becomes null and void on the initiation by any elected or appointed agent, officer, or employee of the United States, or by any agency or department of the United States, of a suit at law or in equity in any federal court to enlarge or expand the title, right, or interest granted by the deed. When a deed becomes void under this subsection, the land immediately reverts to the state. (b) Unless reversion is waived by the legislature during the biennium following the happening of a condition of reversion, all state-owned land conveyed to the United States for the creation of the Padre Island National Seashore reverts to the state and to the fund or account to which it belonged before conveyance if: (1) the United States fails to acquire two-thirds of all privately owned land in the area described by Section 1, Chapter 38, Acts of the 58th Legislature, 1963, within 10 years after the date that the state-owned land was acquired; or (2) the United States fails to use as a national seashore the privately owned land it has acquired.

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.015. CONSENT FOR ACQUISITION OF NAVIGATION DISTRICT LAND.

The Willacy County Navigation District may consent to the acquisition of surface land for inclusion in Padre Island National Seashore. Interests in surface estates, spoil banks, easements, and rights-of-way controlled by the district in the Padre Island National Seashore shall be used for public purposes only.

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.016. ROADS.

The Secretary of Interior is requested to provide roads from the north boundary of Padre Island National Seashore and from the Port Mansfield cut to the access highways from the mainland. SUBCHAPTER C. GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.031. LIMITED JURISDICTION RETAINED.

The state retains jurisdiction in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, concurrently with the United States, as though cession had not occurred, for: (1) the service of criminal and civil process, issued under the authority of the state, on any person amenable to service; and (2) the assessment and collection of taxes on sales and use, or the gross receipts from the sales, of products and commodities and on franchises, properties, and incomes.

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.032. PARK RESIDENTS MAY VOTE.

A person residing in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park may vote in all elections in the county of his residence, subject to the same conditions as other residents of the county, as though cession had not occurred.

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.033. RECONVEYANCE OF TITLE.

If any of the land described by the drawing entitled "Proposed Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas," numbered SA-GM-7100C, dated February, 1965, and on file in the offices of the National Park Service and the Secretary of State of Texas ceases to be used for the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the state may require a reconveyance, without consideration, of the mineral rights conveyed for the creation of the park.

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.034. MINERAL RIGHTS IN PARK.

(a) The state reserves a preferential right, without consideration to the United States, to lease all mineral rights and interests that were conveyed by the state for the establishment of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park if: (1) Congress declares by an act that the national welfare or an emergency requires the development and production of minerals in the park; and (2) Congress authorizes the Secretary of Interior of the U. S. to lease park land for drilling, mining, developing, or producing minerals. (b) If oil, gas, or other minerals are discovered and produced in commercial quantities from land outside the park sufficient to cause drainage of minerals from in the park and the Secretary of Interior participates in a communitization agreement or takes other action to protect the rights of the United States, the state retains its right to its proper share of the proceeds of the agreement or action. The state's proper share is not less than all bonuses, rentals, and royalties attributable to mineral rights conveyed to the United States for the establishment of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. SUBCHAPTER D. FEDERAL LANDS

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.041. AGREEMENTS FOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.

The department may agree with the proper agency of the United States for the protection and management of wildlife resources and for restocking desirable species of wildlife on federal lands in the state.

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.043. HUNTING AND FISHING REGULATIONS.

The commission, under Chapter 61 or Subchapter E , Chapter 81 , may provide for open seasons for hunting and fishing on federal lands for which the department has entered into a wildlife management agreement under this subchapter.

Tex. PARKS & WILD Code § 23.044. PENALTY.

A person who violates any rule or regulation of the commission adopted under this subchapter or who hunts or fishes on federal lands included in a wildlife management agreement under this subchapter at any time other than the open season commits an offense that is a Class C Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.
Source: TX Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Fetched: 6/29/2026