- (a) Except as provided by Section 31.131, this section applies to a person who violates for the first time a provision of this chapter relating to the operation of a vessel.
(b) A justice may defer imposition of a fine and place a defendant on probation for a period not to exceed 60 days if the defendant:
- (1) pleads guilty or nolo contendere or is found guilty; and
- (2) requests permission from the court to attend a boater education course.
- (c) The justice shall require the defendant to successfully complete a boater education course approved by the department during the probation period.
- (d) If the defendant presents satisfactory evidence that the defendant has successfully completed the boater education course, the justice shall waive imposition of a fine. If the defendant fails to successfully complete the boater education course, the justice shall impose a fine for the violation.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1363, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.