By Nixon S.B. No. 156
75R1328 MLS-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to directional signs on public highways for major
1-3 agricultural interests.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 391.001, Transportation Code, is amended
1-6 by adding Subdivisions (15) and (16) to read as follows:
1-7 (15) "Major agricultural interest guide sign" means a
1-8 rectangular guide sign panel imprinted with the name of a major
1-9 agricultural interest and containing directional information to
1-10 that interest.
1-11 (16) "Major agricultural interest" means an
1-12 agricultural entity that:
1-13 (A) sows and cultivates an agricultural product;
1-14 (B) markets that product on the premises;
1-15 (C) devotes at least five acres of land to the
1-16 production of that product; and
1-17 (D) provides tours of the grounds or facilities
1-18 to the public.
1-19 SECTION 2. The heading of Subchapter D, Chapter 391,
1-20 Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
1-21 SUBCHAPTER D. [SPECIFIC] INFORMATION LOGO SIGNS
1-22 SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 391, Transportation Code,
1-23 is amended by adding Section 391.0931 to read as follows:
1-24 Sec. 391.0931. MAJOR AGRICULTURAL INTEREST GUIDE SIGNS. (a)
2-1 Unless the commission determines there is a conflict with federal
2-2 law, the commission shall establish a program that allows the
2-3 erection and maintenance of major agricultural interest guide signs
2-4 at appropriate locations along eligible urban and other highways.
2-5 (b) The commission shall adopt rules regulating the content,
2-6 composition, placement, erection, and maintenance of major
2-7 agricultural interest guide signs and supports within eligible
2-8 urban and other highway rights-of-way. A major agricultural
2-9 interest is eligible to have its name displayed on a major
2-10 agricultural interest guide sign if it is located not farther than
2-11 two miles from an interchange on an eligible urban or other
2-12 highway.
2-13 (c) A major agricultural interest that has its name
2-14 displayed on a major agricultural interest guide sign shall
2-15 reimburse the commission for all costs associated with the
2-16 composition, placement, erection, and maintenance of the sign.
2-17 (d) Major agricultural interest guide signs may be included
2-18 as part of exit direction signs, advance guide signs, and
2-19 supplemental guide signs and shall include guide signs for both
2-20 directions of traffic on an eligible urban or other highway.
2-21 (e) If the commission makes a determination of conflict
2-22 under Subsection (a), the commission shall file a copy of the
2-23 determination, including its reasons for the determination, with
2-24 the secretary of state for publication in the Texas Register.
2-25 SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
2-26 SECTION 5. The importance of this legislation and the
2-27 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-1 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-2 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-3 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.