By Haywood S.B. No. 446 75R3874 DRH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the posting of political signs on private property 1-3 along certain highways. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 391, Transportation Code, 1-6 is amended by adding Section 391.005 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 391.005. EXEMPTION. This chapter does not apply to a 1-8 sign erected solely for and relating to a public election if the 1-9 sign: 1-10 (1) is on private property; 1-11 (2) is erected not earlier than the 90th day before 1-12 the date of the election and is removed not later than the 10th day 1-13 after the election date; 1-14 (3) is constructed of lightweight material; and 1-15 (4) has a surface area not larger than 50 square feet. 1-16 SECTION 2. (a) This Act takes effect on the first day of 1-17 the calendar month following the date the executive director of the 1-18 Texas Department of Transportation determines that the 1-19 implementation of Section 391.005, Transportation Code, as added by 1-20 this Act, will not result in the loss of highway-related funds from 1-21 the federal government. The executive director shall endeavor to 1-22 make a determination under this subsection as soon as practical 1-23 after this Act becomes law. In making a determination under this 1-24 section, the executive director may seek the opinion of an officer 2-1 or employee of the federal government, the attorney general of this 2-2 state, or any other appropriate person. 2-3 (b) If a determination is made under Subsection (a) of this 2-4 section, the executive director shall provide notice of the 2-5 determination to the secretary of state for inclusion in the Texas 2-6 Register. If a determination is not made under Subsection (a) of 2-7 this section, this Act has no effect. 2-8 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-9 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-10 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-11 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-12 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.