VERNON'S TEXAS CIVIL STATUTES

CHAPTER 10. PUBLIC UTILITIES




Art. 1446a. Disruption of gas, electric or water service by 
picketing, threats or intimidation

Sec. 1. Repealed by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 9, eff. 
Sept. 1, 1997.

Definitions

Sec. 2. When used in this Act, the term "public utility" or 
"utility" shall mean and include the following:

(a) Any private corporation doing business in Texas, and having the 
right of eminent domain, and engaged in the business of generating, 
transmitting or distributing electric energy to the public;  or

(b) Any private corporation doing business in Texas, and having the 
right of eminent domain, and engaged in the business of producing, 
transmitting, or distributing natural or artificial gas to the 
public;  or

(c) Any private corporation doing business in Texas, and having the 
right of eminent domain, and engaged in the business of furnishing 
water to the public;  or

(d) Any state agency, authority, subdivision or municipality 
engaged in the business of furnishing any of the above described 
services to the public.

Secs. 3, 4. Repealed by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 9, eff. 
Sept. 1, 1997.

Sabotage;  Penalty

Sec. 5. Any person who shall wilfully damage or destroy any 
building, equipment, machinery or facility used in furnishing 
utility service by any utility as defined in Section 2 hereof, or 
who interferes with, or commits any act of sabotage affecting any 
machinery, equipment, or facilities of any such utility for the 
purpose of disrupting the service provided by such utility, or for 
the purpose of preventing the maintenance of such service, shall be 
guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction, shall be punished by 
confinement in the state penitentiary for not less than two (2) 
years, nor more than five (5) years.

The word "sabotage" as used in this Act shall be construed to 
include any intentional tampering with, obstructing, breaking, 
damaging, changing or in any way interfering with any building, 
machinery, structure, wires, poles, towers, pumps, pipe lines, 
meters, switches, transformers, or any other equipment or property 
of any sort used by a utility as defined herein in furnishing water, 
gas, or electric service.

Conspiracy;  Penalty

Sec. 5-a. If any two or more persons shall enter into any agreement, 
compact, or plan to violate any of the provisions of Section 5 of 
this Act, or any agreement, compact, or plan to persuade, induce or 
employ some person to violate the provisions of said section, every 
person participating in such agreement, compact or plan shall be 
guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction, shall be punished by 
confinement in the state penitentiary for not less than two (2) nor 
more than five (5) years.  In order that such offense be complete, 
it shall not be necessary that an overt act be committed pursuant to 
such agreement, compact or plan.  The provisions of this section 
shall be cumulative of other statutes relating to conspiracy.

Secs. 6 to 8. Repealed by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 9, eff. 
Sept. 1, 1997.

Acts 1947, 50th Leg., p. 142, ch. 84, eff. Sept. 5, 1947.                     




Art. 1446.01. Foreign trade zones;  grants                                    

Sec. 1. In this Act:                                                          

(1) "Eligible corporation" means a corporation organized for the 
purpose of establishing, operating, and maintaining a foreign trade 
zone.

(2) "Governmental entity" means the state, a state agency, a 
county, a municipality, a special district, or a combination of 
those entities.

Sec. 2. An eligible corporation or a governmental entity is 
authorized to apply for and accept a grant to establish, operate, 
and maintain a foreign trade zone and subzones, subject to the 
requirements of federal law and the regulations of the Foreign 
Trade Zones Board, and to take other actions necessary to 
establish, operate, and maintain the foreign trade zone and 
subzones.

Sec. 3. The eligible corporation or governmental entity seeking the 
grant may select and describe the location of the foreign trade zone 
and subzones.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1105, eff. June 19, 1987.                           




Art. 1446.1. Laredo Foreign Trade Zone                                        

The City of Laredo, Webb County, Texas, a municipal corporation 
organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas, or 
an instrumentality of the City of Laredo, is authorized to apply for 
and accept a grant to establish, operate and maintain a foreign 
trade zone at the Laredo Port of Entry, and other sub-zones, subject 
to the requirements of federal law and regulations of the Foreign 
Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., p. 236, ch. 102, eff. April 27, 1965.  Amended 
by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 287, ch. 112, Sec. 1, eff. May 9, 1981.




Art. 1446.2. McAllen Trade Zone Corporation                                   

The McAllen Trade Zone, Inc., organized and incorporated under the 
laws of the State of Texas, with offices at McAllen, Hidalgo County, 
Texas, is authorized to apply for and accept a grant to establish, 
operate and maintain a foreign trade zone at the McAllen Port of 
Entry, and other sub-zones, subject to the requirements of federal 
law and regulations of the Foreign Trade Zones Board.  One of the 
sub-zones may be in Starr County.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., p. 528, ch. 272, eff. May 28, 1965.  Amended by 
Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 193, ch. 102, Sec. 1, eff. May 9, 1979.




Art. 1446.3. Harlingen Trade Zone Corporation                                 

The Harlingen Trade Zone, Inc., organized and incorporated under 
the laws of the State of Texas, with offices at or near Harlingen, 
Cameron County, Texas, is authorized to apply for and accept a grant 
to establish, operate and maintain a foreign trade zone adjacent to 
any port of entry in Cameron County, Texas, and other sub-zones, 
subject to the requirements of federal law and regulations of the 
Foreign Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., p. 741, ch. 347, eff. June 9, 1965.                     




Art. 1446.4. San Angelo Trade Zone Corporation                                

Sec. 1. The San Angelo Trade Zone, Inc., organized and incorporated 
under the laws of the State of Texas, with offices at San Angelo, 
Tom Green County, Texas, is authorized to establish, operate and 
maintain a foreign trade zone at San Angelo, Tom Green County, 
Texas, and other sub-zones.

Sec. 2. The San Angelo Trade Zone, Inc., is authorized to apply for 
and accept a grant to establish, operate and maintain a foreign 
trade zone at the San Angelo Port of Entry, and other sub-zones, 
subject to the requirements of Public Law No. 397, as amended by 
Public Law 566, 81st Congress (Ch. 1A, Title 19, Sections 81a-81u, 
United States Code Annotated), and regulations of the Foreign Trade 
Zones Board.

Acts 1967, 60th Leg., p. 2075, ch. 777, eff. June 18, 1967.                   




Art. 1446.5. Amarillo Trade Zone Corporation                                  

The Amarillo Trade Zone, Inc., organized and incorporated under the 
laws of the State of Texas, with offices at or near Amarillo, 
Potter, and Randall counties, is authorized to apply for and accept 
a grant to establish, operate, and maintain a foreign-trade zone at 
Amarillo, Potter, and Randall counties, and other subzones, subject 
to the requirements of federal law and regulations of the 
Foreign-Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1929, ch. 628, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.                   




Art. 1446.6. Galveston Port of Entry Trade Zone                               

The city of Galveston, Galveston County, Texas, a municipal 
corporation organized and incorporated under the laws of the State 
of Texas, or its board of trustees of the Galveston Wharves, is 
hereby authorized to apply for and accept a grant or permit to 
establish, operate, and maintain a United States foreign trade zone 
as defined in the Foreign Trade Zones Act (19 U.S.C.A. Section 81a 
(1965)), at the Galveston port of entry, and any subzones thereof, 
and upon approval of such application and issuance of such grant or 
permit, to do all things necessary or appropriate to the 
establishment, operation, and maintenance of such foreign trade 
zone and any subzones thereof, subject to complying with the 
requirements of federal law and the regulations of the U. S. Foreign 
Trade Zones Board, Washington, D.C.

Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 150, ch. 74, eff. April 25, 1977.                    




Art. 1446.7. Houston Port of Entry Foreign Trade Zone                         

The Houston Foreign-Trade Zone, Incorporated, a private 
corporation incorporated under the laws of this state, the city of 
Houston, and the Port of Houston Authority of Harris County, Texas, 
are each authorized to apply for and accept a grant or permit to 
establish, operate, and maintain a foreign-trade zone at the 
Houston port of entry and any subzones of it, and to do anything 
necessary to establish, operate, and maintain the foreign-trade 
zone, if the application is approved, subject to federal law and the 
regulations of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 226, ch. 109, eff. Aug. 29, 1977.                    




Art. 1446.8. Joint airport boards foreign trade zone                          

Sec. 1. This Act shall be applicable to joint airport boards (herein 
called "Authorized Boards") created pursuant to Chapter 114, Acts 
of the 50th Legislature, Regular Session, 1947 (Article 46d-14, 
Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), by two or more cities having a 
combined population greater than 1,000,000 according to the last 
preceding federal decennial census.

Sec. 2. Authorized boards are hereby authorized to apply for 
permits, licenses, and other grants of authority, and to accept the 
same, to establish, operate, and maintain one or more foreign trade 
zones within any county or counties in which the airport of the 
authorized board is situated, as Texas ports of entry under federal 
law, and to establish, operate, and maintain other sub-zones or 
other additions to an existing zone inside or outside those 
counties, subject to all requirements of federal law and to the 
regulations of the Foreign Trade Zones Board of the United States or 
successor agency.

Sec. 3. In the operation and maintenance of any foreign trade zone 
or sub-zone under this Act, the authorized board shall have and 
possess whatever additional powers and authorizations, additional 
to its other statutory and locally granted powers, as shall be 
required or necessary to establish, operate, and maintain such 
foreign trade zones and sub-zones under and in accordance with 
federal law, rules, and regulations.

Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 268, ch. 129, eff. Aug. 29, 1977.  Amended 
by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 338, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987;  Acts 
1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 763, Sec. 1, eff. June 16, 1991.




Art. 1446.9. El Paso Foreign Trade Zone                                       

The City of El Paso or the El Paso Trade Zone, Inc., organized and 
incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas, with offices at 
or near El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, is authorized to apply for 
and accept a grant to establish, operate, and maintain a foreign 
trade zone adjacent to any port of entry in El Paso County, Texas, 
and other subzones, subject to the requirements of federal law and 
regulations of the Foreign Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 372, ch. 183, eff. May 20, 1977.  Amended by 
Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 287, ch. 112, Sec. 2, eff. May 9, 1981.




Art. 1446.10. San Antonio Foreign Trade Zone                                  

Sec. 1. The city of San Antonio or a nonprofit corporation organized 
under Texas law and designated by the city of San Antonio is 
authorized to apply for and accept a grant to establish, operate, 
and maintain a foreign trade zone at or adjacent to any port of 
entry in Bexar County, Texas, and other subzones, subject to the 
requirements of federal law and regulations of the Foreign Trade 
Zones Board.

Sec. 2. After the nonprofit corporation has accepted a grant to 
establish, operate, and maintain the foreign trade zone as 
authorized by this Act, the city may not exercise any further 
control or supervision over the corporation in regard to the naming 
of directors and officers of the corporation or to the 
corporation's internal management or organization.

Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 706, ch. 265, eff. Aug. 29, 1977.  Amended 
by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2108, ch. 491, Sec. 1, eff. June 11, 
1981.




Art. 1446.11. Brownsville Navigation District Foreign Trade Zone              

The Brownsville Navigation District, organized and incorporated 
under the laws of the State of Texas, is hereby authorized to apply 
for and accept a grant or permit to establish, operate, and maintain 
a U. S. Foreign-Trade Zone as defined in the U. S. Foreign-Trade 
Zone Act (19 U.S.C.A. Section 81a et seq., 1965, as amended) at the 
Brownsville port of entry, and subzones thereof, and upon approval 
of such application and issuance of such grant or permit to do all 
things necessary or appropriate to the establishment, operation, 
and maintenance of such Foreign-Trade Zone and any subzones thereof 
subject to compliance with the requirements of federal law and the 
regulations of the U.S. Foreign Trade Zones Board, Washington, D.C.

Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1637, ch. 685, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 27, 1979.           




Art. 1446.12. Rio Grande City Foreign Trade Zone                              

The Starr County Industrial Foundation, a nonprofit corporation 
organized and incorporated under the Texas Non-Profit Corporation 
Act, as amended (Articles 1396-1.01 et seq., Vernon's Texas Civil 
Statutes), to promote the economic development of Starr County, 
with offices at Rio Grande City, Starr County, Texas, is authorized 
to apply for and accept a grant to establish, operate, and maintain 
a foreign-trade zone at Rio Grande City, Starr County, and other 
subzones, subject to federal law and the regulations of the Foreign 
Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 163, ch. 73, Sec. 1, eff. April 30, 1981.            




Art. 1446.13. Del Rio Foreign Trade Zone                                      

The city of Del Rio or a nonprofit corporation organized under the 
laws of this state and designated by the city of Del Rio is 
authorized to apply for and accept a grant to establish, operate, 
and maintain a foreign-trade zone at Del Rio, Val Verde County, and 
other subzones, subject to federal law and the regulations of the 
Foreign Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 348, ch. 137, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1981.            




Art. 1446.14. Eagle Pass Foreign Trade Zone                                   

The city of Eagle Pass or a nonprofit corporation organized under 
the laws of this state and designated by the city of Eagle Pass is 
authorized to apply for and accept a grant to establish, operate, 
and maintain a foreign-trade zone at Eagle Pass, Maverick County, 
and other subzones, subject to federal law and the regulations of 
the Foreign Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 349, ch. 138, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1981.            




Art. 1446.15. Foreign trade zones in Port Arthur Customs District 
and Orange and Jefferson Counties

Sec. 1. The City of Beaumont, the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, the 
County of Jefferson, the Port of Beaumont Navigation District of 
Jefferson County, the Beaumont Economic Development Foundation, 
which is a nonprofit corporation organized and incorporated under 
the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act, as amended (Article 1396-1.01 
et seq., Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), with offices at Beaumont, 
Jefferson County, or any other corporation organized under the laws 
of this state and designated by the Port of Beaumont Navigation 
District of Jefferson County is authorized to apply for and accept a 
grant to establish, operate, and maintain a foreign trade zone and 
subzones at Beaumont, Jefferson County, or other locations in the 
portion of the Port Arthur Customs District located in this state, 
subject to federal law and the regulations of the Foreign Trade 
Zones Board.

Sec. 2. The Orange County Navigation and Port District is 
authorized to apply for and accept a grant to establish, operate, 
and maintain a foreign trade zone in Orange County, and other 
subzones, subject to federal law and the regulations of the Foreign 
Trade Zones Board.

Sec. 3. The Port of Port Arthur Navigation District of Jefferson 
County is authorized to apply for and accept a grant to establish, 
operate, and maintain a foreign trade zone in Jefferson County, and 
other subzones, subject to federal law and the regulations of the 
Foreign Trade Zones Board.

Sec. 4. The governing body of the Jefferson County Airport is 
authorized to apply for and accept a grant to establish, operate, 
and maintain a foreign trade zone, which may include land inside the 
boundaries of the airport and up to 1,000 acres of private 
industrial land adjacent to the airport, in Jefferson County, and 
other subzones, subject to federal law and the regulations of the 
Foreign Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2194, ch. 509, eff. June 12, 1981.                   




Art. 1446.16. Midlothian Foreign Trade Zone                                   

The Midlothian Trade Zone Corporation, organized and incorporated 
under the laws of the State of Texas, is authorized to apply for and 
accept a grant to establish, operate, and maintain a foreign trade 
zone, adjacent to the port limits of the Dallas-Fort Worth Port of 
Entry, at Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas, and other subzones 
within Ellis County, Texas, subject to the requirements of federal 
law and regulations of the Foreign Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 588, ch. 122, Sec. 1, eff. May 17, 1983.             




Art. 1446.17. Corpus Christi Foreign Trade Zone                               

The city of Corpus Christi or the Port of Corpus Christi Authority 
of Nueces County, Texas, and/or any other approved public agencies 
that the city of Corpus Christi or the Port of Corpus Christi 
Authority of Nueces County, Texas, may designate, are authorized to 
apply to the United States Foreign-Trade Zones Board in Washington, 
D.C., for and accept a Grant of Permit to establish, operate, and 
maintain a United States foreign-trade zone and subzones, subject 
to federal law and the regulations of the United States 
Foreign-Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 2418, ch. 426, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 1983.           




Art. 1446.18. Brazos River Harbor Navigation District of Brazoria 
County Foreign Trade Zone

The Brazos River Harbor Navigation District of Brazoria County, 
organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas, or 
another corporation organized under the laws of the State of Texas 
and designated by the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District of 
Brazoria County, is authorized to apply for and accept a grant to 
establish, operate, and maintain a foreign trade zone adjacent to a 
port of entry within the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District of 
Brazoria County, and other subzones, subject to the requirements of 
federal law and the regulations of the Foreign Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 573, Sec. 1, eff. June 12, 1985.                    




Art. 1446.19. Saturn Trade Zone Corporation                                   

The Saturn Trade Zone Corporation, a corporation organized and 
incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas, is authorized to 
apply for and accept a grant to establish, operate, and maintain a 
foreign trade zone at the location designated by General Motors 
Corporation within the State of Texas for the Saturn automobile 
production facility, and other subzones, subject to the 
requirements of federal law and the regulations of the Foreign 
Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 598, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1985.                    




Art. 1446.20. Weslaco Foreign Trade Zone                                      

The City of Weslaco or the Weslaco Development Corporation, 
Incorporated, a corporation organized and incorporated under the 
laws of the State of Texas, is authorized to apply for and accept a 
grant to establish, operate, and maintain a foreign trade zone in 
Weslaco, Hidalgo County, Texas, and other subzones, subject to the 
requirements of federal law and the regulations of the Foreign 
Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 680, Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 1985.                    




Art. 1446.21. Calhoun-Victoria Foreign Trade Zone                             

The Calhoun-Victoria Foreign Trade Zone, Inc., a corporation 
organized under the laws of this state, is authorized to apply for 
and accept a grant to establish, operate, and maintain a foreign 
trade zone at Calhoun County, Victoria County, or both, and other 
subzones, subject to federal law and the regulations of the Foreign 
Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 32, Sec. 1, eff. Dec. 4, 1986.            




Art. 1446.22. Lubbock Foreign Trade Zone                                      

The City of Lubbock, organized and incorporated under the laws of 
the State of Texas, or another corporation organized under the laws 
of the State of Texas and designated by the City of Lubbock, is 
authorized to apply for and accept a grant to establish, operate, 
and maintain a foreign trade zone adjacent to the U.S. Customs Port 
of Entry at Lubbock, and other subzones, subject to the 
requirements of federal law and the regulations of the Foreign 
Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 156, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987.                    




Art. 1446.23. Midland Foreign Trade Zone                                      

The City of Midland, organized and incorporated under the laws of 
the State of Texas, or another corporation organized under the laws 
of the State of Texas and designated by the City of Midland is 
authorized to apply for and accept a grant to establish, operate, 
and maintain a foreign trade zone adjacent to the Midland Regional 
Airport, and other subzones, subject to the requirements of federal 
law and the regulations of the Foreign Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 156, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 31, 1987.                    




Art. 1446.24. Westport Economic Development Corporation;  Foreign 
Trade Zone;  U.S. Customs Port of Entry at El Paso

The Westport Economic Development Corporation, organized and 
incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State 
of Texas, with offices at El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, is 
authorized to apply for and accept a grant to establish, operate, 
and maintain a foreign trade zone in or adjacent to the U.S. Customs 
Port of Entry at El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, and other subzones, 
subject to the requirements of federal law and the regulations of 
the Foreign Trade Zones Board.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 194, Sec. 1, eff. May 27, 1987.            




Art. 1446.25. Austin Foreign Trade Zone                                       

The city of Austin or a nonprofit corporation organized under the 
laws of the State of Texas and designated by the city of Austin is 
authorized to apply for and accept a grant to establish, operate, 
and maintain a foreign trade zone in Travis County, and other 
subzones, subject to the requirements of federal law and the 
regulations of the Foreign Trade Zones Board.

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 247, Sec. 1, eff. May 28, 1987.                     




Art. 1446.26. Star Port Space Facility and Foreign Trade Zone                 

Sec. 1. The City of Houston, organized and incorporated under the 
laws of the State of Texas, the County of Harris, or another 
corporation organized under the laws of this state and designated 
by the City of Houston or the County of Harris or any cities or 
counties located within a five mile radius of a major space and 
aeronautics center are authorized to apply for and accept a grant to 
establish, operate, and maintain a foreign trade zone adjacent to 
or near facilities of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration in Harris County, Texas, and other subzones, subject 
to the requirements of federal law and the regulations of the 
Foreign Trade Zones Board and for the purpose of establishing, 
operating, and maintaining a space facility to be named "Star 
Port."

Sec. 2. The entities authorized by this Act to establish a trade 
zone may apply for or adopt any appropriate inducements for the 
establishment and operation of the foreign trade zone, including 
appropriate or applicable tax abatement or tax exemptions.

Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 355, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.