SRC-HRD S.B. 156 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 156
By: Nixon
Agriculture
2-11-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law does not provide for the placement of signs marking
and providing directional information to locations of major agricultural
interest.  S.B. 156 authorizes the placement of signs for sights of major
agricultural interest, including Christmas tree farms and other
agricultural interests, along eligible urban and rural highways. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 156 authorizes the placement of major agricultural
interest guide signs to designate and provide directional information to
locations of major agricultural interests throughout the state. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Transportation Commission
under SECTION 3 (Sec. 391.0931(b), Transportation Code), of this bill.  

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 391.001, Transportation Code, by adding
Subdivisions (15) and (16), to define "major agricultural interest guide
sign," and "major agriculture interest." 

SECTION 2. Amends the heading of Chapter 391D, Transportation Code, as
follows: 

SUBCHAPTER D.  New heading:  INFORMATION LOGO SIGNS

SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 391D, Transportation Code, by adding Section
391.0931, as follows: 

Sec. 391.0931.  MAJOR AGRICULTURAL INTEREST GUIDE SIGNS.  Requires the
Texas Transportation Commission (commission) to establish a program that
allows the erection and maintenance of major agricultural interest guide
signs at appropriate locations along eligible urban and other highways,
unless the commission determines there is a conflict with federal law.
Requires the commission to adopt rules regulating the content,
composition, placement, erection, and maintenance of major agricultural
interest guide signs and supports with eligible urban and other highway
rights-of-way.  Sets forth provisions regarding sign placement.  Requires
a major agricultural interest that has its name displayed on a major
agricultural interest guide sign to reimburse the commission for all costs
associated with the composition, placement, erection, and maintenance of
the sign.   Requires the commission to file a copy of the determination,
including its reasons for the determination, with the secretary of state
for publication in the Texas Register, if the commission makes a
determination of conflict under Subsection (a).   

SECTION 4. Effective date:  September 1, 1997. 

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.