The bill would amend the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to establish a program for designating highways as State Scenic Byways that includes a process by which TxDOT receives proposals from political subdivisions or other community groups for funding projects in accordance with 23 U.S.C. Section 162 (National Scenic Byways program); applies for federal National Scenic Byways grants for the projects; and allows an applicant who consents to pay for costs of the project that are not covered by the federal grant. The bill would authorize TxDOT to use money from the State Highway Fund to pay for project costs that are not covered by a federal grant. The bill would designate each highway listed under Transportation Code Section 391.252 as a State Scenic Byway.
Based on the information provided by TxDOT, it is assumed any costs or duties associated with establishment of the program could be absorbed within the agency's resources. For the purposes of this analysis, it is assumed a project receiving a federal grant would include a federal share of 80 percent and non-federal share of 20 percent of the project cost, and a third-party would contribute funds toward the non-federal share or other costs not covered under the federal grant.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.