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.