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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the adoption of a state scenic byways program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 391, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 391.256 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 391.256. SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM. (a) The department |
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shall plan, design, and establish a program for designating |
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highways as State Scenic Byways. |
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(b) The program must include a process by which the |
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department: |
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(1) receives proposals from political subdivisions or |
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other community groups approved by the department for funding |
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projects in accordance with 23 U.S.C. Section 162; |
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(2) applies for grants under 23 U.S.C. Section 162 for |
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the projects; and |
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(3) allows an applicant who consents to pay for the |
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costs of the projects that are not covered by grants made under 23 |
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U.S.C. Section 162. |
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(c) A highway must be designated as a State Scenic Byway |
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under the program established by this section before the department |
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applies for a grant under Subsection (b)(2) for a project related to |
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the highway. |
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(d) The department may use money from the state highway fund |
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for a project that receives a grant made under 23 U.S.C. Section 162 |
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only for the purpose of satisfying matching funds requirements for |
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the grant. |
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(e) The department may only designate a highway described by |
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Section 391.252 as a State Scenic Byway. |
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(f) The commission by rule shall prohibit outdoor |
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advertising in a manner consistent with 23 U.S.C. Section 131(s) on |
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a State Scenic Byway designated under this section. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2021, the Texas |
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Department of Transportation shall establish the program required |
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by Section 391.256, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, and |
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the Texas Transportation Commission shall adopt rules as necessary |
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to implement that section. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |