Relating to landscape control along interstate and state highway rights-of-way; imposing a criminal penalty.
Impact
If enacted, SB1924 would establish a formal process for businesses or individuals seeking approval for landscape management within state highway rights-of-way. This includes the necessity of obtaining permission from the Texas Transportation Commission prior to any landscape alterations, which marks a significant shift in how highway landscaping is managed and could lead to increased oversight and compliance requirements for businesses operating near these rights-of-way. The bill also proposes a system for mitigation, allowing applicants to either replace removed vegetation or compensate the state for its value.
Summary
Senate Bill 1924 addresses landscape control along interstate and state highway rights-of-way in Texas, with a focus on improving visibility for adjacent businesses. The bill proposes a structured landscape management program that allows for the trimming or removal of vegetation as deemed necessary by the Texas Transportation Commission. This initiative aims to balance the needs of businesses for visibility and proper management of highway landscaping.
Contention
One notable point of contention surrounding SB1924 is the imposition of criminal penalties for unauthorized landscape management actions. The bill classifies such actions as a Class C misdemeanor, which opponents argue may impose undue burdens on property owners and small businesses who could inadvertently violate the new regulations. Stakeholders are concerned about the potential complexities and costs associated with obtaining the necessary approvals and navigating the commission’s processes, which could impact business operations and local highway aesthetics.
Relating to the regulation of money services businesses; creating a criminal offense; creating administrative penalties; authorizing the imposition of a fee.
Relating to the regulation of sports wagering; requiring occupational permits; authorizing fees; imposing a tax; decriminalizing wagering on certain sports events; creating criminal offenses; providing administrative penalties.
Relating to the regulation of sports wagering; requiring occupational permits; authorizing fees; imposing a tax; decriminalizing wagering on certain sports events; creating criminal offenses; providing administrative penalties.
Relating to local option elections to legalize or prohibit the operation of eight-liners; imposing fees and issuing fee permits; creating criminal offenses; increasing criminal penalties.
Relating to the authorization, licensing, and regulation of casino gaming and sports wagering in this state, to the creation, powers, and duties of the Texas Gaming Commission, to the support of the horse racing industry and reform of horse racing and greyhound racing, and to other provisions related to gambling; imposing and authorizing administrative and civil penalties; imposing taxes; imposing and authorizing fees; requiring occupational licenses; creating criminal offenses.
Relating to measures to ensure the safety and welfare of the southern border region of this state, including protection from ongoing criminal activity and public health threats; creating a criminal offense; creating a civil penalty.
Relating to measures to ensure the safety and welfare of the border region of this state, including protection from ongoing criminal activity and public health threats and the establishment of the Border Protection Unit; creating a criminal offense; creating a civil penalty.
Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing a Texas Border Force, and to compensate persons affected by those threats; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses.