Untitled Texas Attorney General Opinion
GA-0934
| Tex. Att'y Gen. | Jul 2, 2012Background
- AG asks whether ROHV/ATV may be lawfully operated on a public beach and whether a county may register such vehicles for beach operation.
- Section 663.037(a) generally regulates ATVs/ROHVs on streets but does not explicitly address beaches.
- Open Beaches Act and Dune Protection Act govern beach access and use; local traffic regs may regulate beach vehicular traffic subject to GLO approval.
- No statute clearly states general public prohibition or permission for ATV/ROHV operation on any beach; outcomes depend on beach-specific rules and ordinances.
- Section 502.140(b) contemplates government vehicle registration for operation on beach to maintain public safety; subsection and context limit to governmental (not private) registration.
- Section 502.140(b) does not authorize counties to create a private individual registration system for ROHVs/ATVs to operate on a beach.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Can an ATV/ROHV be lawfully operated on a public beach? | Roady argues section 663.037(a) prohibits operation on beaches. | Hodge explains beaches fall under Open Beaches Act/Dune Protection Act; no categorical allowance; depends on beach rules. | Cannot be answered categorically; depends on beach-specific rules and ordinances. |
| May a county establish a registration system for individuals to operate ROHVs/ATVs on a beach? | Roady suggests section 502.140(b) authorizes county registration. | Section 502.140(b) contemplates governmental vehicle registration only; counties lack authority for private registration system. | No, a county does not have authority to establish such a county registration system. |
Key Cases Cited
- Brown v. State, 289 S.W.2d 942 (Tex. Crim. App. 1956) (relevant beach route evidence for public highway conviction)
- Spradlin v. Jim Walter Homes, Inc., 34 S.W.3d 578 (Tex. 2000) (statutory construction: qualifiers confined to surrounding text)
- City of San Antonio v. City of Boerne, 111 S.W.3d 22 (Tex. 2003) (governmental powers must be express or implied for local actions)
- Ex parte Keller, 173 S.W.3d 492 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005) (normal rules of statutory construction apply to word meaning in context)
- TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. v. Combs, 340 S.W.3d 432 (Tex. 2011) (interpretation anchored in statutory context)
- LTTS Charter Sch., Inc. v. C2 Constr., Inc., 342 S.W.3d 73 (Tex. 2011) (statutory interpretation aided by surrounding landscape)