By Burnam                                             H.B. No. 1677
         77R2888 JD-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the dedication of a portion of certain federal funds
 1-3     for certain local improvements and to the establishment of a Safe
 1-4     Routes to School Program.
 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is
 1-7     amended by adding Section 201.614 to read as follows:
 1-8           Sec. 201.614.  DEDICATION OF CERTAIN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR
 1-9     PROJECTS IN HIGH-HAZARD LOCATIONS; SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM.
1-10     (a)  In each of the first five fiscal years that begin on or after
1-11     September 1, 2001, one-third of all money received by the
1-12     department from the United States under the Hazard Elimination
1-13     Program, 23 U.S.C. Section 152, as amended, may be used only for
1-14     projects that are located in high-hazard locations near schools in
1-15     municipalities and counties and:
1-16                 (1)  provide for the construction or installation of
1-17     traffic-calming measures in those locations; or
1-18                 (2)  are designed to improve bicycle or pedestrian
1-19     safety in those locations.
1-20           (b)  The department shall establish and administer a Safe
1-21     Routes to School Program to distribute money received under the
1-22     Hazard Elimination Program to counties and municipalities for
1-23     projects to improve safety near schools. Grants may be awarded
1-24     under the program for a project that includes:
 2-1                 (1)  installation of new crosswalks or bicycle lanes;
 2-2                 (2)  construction of multiuse trails;
 2-3                 (3)  construction or replacement of sidewalks; and
 2-4                 (4)  implementation of traffic-calming measures near
 2-5     schools.
 2-6           (c)  The department, in considering whether to approve a
 2-7     grant under  Subsection (b), shall consider:
 2-8                 (1)  the demonstrated need of the applicant;
 2-9                 (2)  the potential of the proposal to reduce injuries
2-10     and fatalities to schoolchildren;
2-11                 (3)  the potential of the proposal to encourage walking
2-12     and bicycling among schoolchildren;
2-13                 (4)  identification of safety hazards;
2-14                 (5)  identification of current and potential walking
2-15     and bicycling routes to schools; and
2-16                 (6)  support for the project by local school-based
2-17     associations, traffic engineers, elected officials, law enforcement
2-18     agencies, and school officials.
2-19           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.