By: Gallego, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Hinojosa) H.B. No. 4465
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 1, 2009;
May 6, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on
Transportation and Homeland Security; May 18, 2009, reported
favorably by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 18, 2009, sent
to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to "Welcome to Texas" signs on highways entering Texas and
to the placement of Texas flags at international ports-of-entry.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 201.617, Transportation Code, as added
by Chapter 474 (H.B. 137), Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular
Session, 2005, is repealed.
SECTION 2. Subchapter O, Chapter 201, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 201.979 to read as follows:
Sec. 201.979. "WELCOME TO TEXAS" SIGNS. (a) The
department shall erect a "Welcome to Texas" sign to designate the
state boundary on an interstate, United States, or state highway
entering the state.
(b) A "Welcome to Texas" sign erected by the department must
include the following elements:
(1) a depiction of the state flag; and
(2) the phrase "Drive Friendly - The Texas Way."
(c) A "Welcome to Texas" sign may also include the phrase
"Welcome to Texas - Proud Home of Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson,
George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush."
(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (c) above, if the president
of the United States is a resident of Texas, a "Welcome to Texas"
sign erected by the department shall include the phrase "Welcome to
Texas - Proud Home of President [insert name of the president of the
United States]."
SECTION 3. Subchapter O, Chapter 201, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 201.980 to read as follows:
Sec. 201.980. TEXAS FLAGS AT INTERNATIONAL PORTS-OF-ENTRY.
(a) The department shall erect and maintain a Texas flag to
designate the state boundary at an appropriate location at or near
each interstate, United States, or state highway originating at an
official port-of-entry along an international border.
(b) A Texas flag flown under this section shall be visible
from the international port-of-entry and must be equal in size or
larger than the flag of any foreign nation flown at the
port-of-entry operating on the other side of the international
border.
(c) The department may contract with any governmental or
private entity for the care and maintenance of any Texas flag flown
under this section.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2010.
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