87R4902 CXP-F
By: Morales of Maverick H.B. No. 1908
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the adoption of a state scenic byways program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 391, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 391.256 to read as follows:
Sec. 391.256. SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM. (a) The department
shall plan, design, and establish a program for designating
highways as State Scenic Byways.
(b) The program must include a process by which the
department:
(1) receives proposals from political subdivisions or
other community groups approved by the department for funding
projects in accordance with 23 U.S.C. Section 162;
(2) applies for grants under 23 U.S.C. Section 162 for
the projects; and
(3) allows an applicant who consents to pay for the
costs of the projects that are not covered by grants made under 23
U.S.C. Section 162.
(c) A highway must be designated as a State Scenic Byway
under the program established by this section before the department
applies for a grant under Subsection (b)(2) for a project related to
the highway.
(d) The department may use money from the state highway fund
to pay for the costs of a project that are not covered by a grant
made under 23 U.S.C. Section 162.
(e) In addition to any highways designated by the
department, each highway listed under Section 391.252 is designated
as a State Scenic Byway.
(f) The commission by rule shall prohibit outdoor
advertising in a manner consistent with 23 U.S.C. Section 131(s) on
a State Scenic Byway designated under this section.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2021, the Texas
Department of Transportation shall establish the program required
by Section 391.256, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, and
the Texas Transportation Commission shall adopt rules as necessary
to implement that section.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.