SRC-BWC S.B. 1129 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1129
77R4466 JAT-DBy: Bernsen
State Affairs
3/23/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, 44 states have scenic byways programs in place, many of which
have been created or reorganized to match the National Scenic Byways
Program designation criteria.  State scenic byways programs protect and
beautify America's roads and byways and provide economic opportunities in
tourism and recreation.  Federal law provides for a national scenic byways
program including the designation of roads, grants and technical
assistance, and eligible projects.  As proposed, S.B. 1129 creates a byways
program for Texas and creates a mechanism for receiving federal funds in
compliance with federal law. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of
Transportation in SECTION 1 (Section 221.004, Transportation Code) of this
bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 221, Transportation Code, by adding Section
221.004, as follows: 

Sec. 221.004.  SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM.  (a)  Requires the Texas Department
of Transportation (department) to develop, implement, and administer a
program to: 

 _designate as scenic byways, highways or portions of highways in the state
highway system that have notable scenic, historic, cultural, natural
recreational, or archaeological qualities; 

 _encourage and coordinate state actions and activities by other entities
relating to those designated byways;  

 _enhance recreational, cultural, and archaeological resources along those
byways;  

 _promote economic development along those byways; and

 _educate residents and visitors of the history, culture, and natural
beauty of this state. 

 (b)  Requires the department to adopt rules for the administration of this
section and the scenic byways program and structure the program under this
section to maximize the amount of money available from the federal
government for the program. 

(c)  Requires the rules adopted by the department under Subsection (b) to
be consistent with 23 U.S.C. Section 162 and regulations adopted under that
section. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2001.