By Bernsen S.B. No. 1129 77R4466 JAT-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the creation of a scenic byways program. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Chapter 221, Transportation Code, is amended by 1-5 adding Section 221.004 to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 221.004. SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM. (a) The department 1-7 shall develop, implement, and administer a program to: 1-8 (1) designate as scenic byways, highways or portions 1-9 of highways in the state highway system that have notable scenic, 1-10 historic, cultural, natural, recreational, or archaeological 1-11 qualities; 1-12 (2) encourage and coordinate state actions and 1-13 activities by other entities that relate to the development, 1-14 protection, promotion, and management of those designated scenic 1-15 byways; 1-16 (3) enhance recreational, cultural, and archaeological 1-17 resources along those designated scenic byways; 1-18 (4) promote economic development along those 1-19 designated scenic byways; and 1-20 (5) educate residents of and visitors to this state on 1-21 the history, culture, and natural beauty of this state. 1-22 (b) The department shall: 1-23 (1) adopt rules for the administration of this section 1-24 and the scenic byways program; and 2-1 (2) structure the program under this section to 2-2 maximize the amount of money available from the federal government 2-3 for the program. 2-4 (c) Rules adopted by the department under Subsection (b) 2-5 must be consistent with 23 U.S.C. Section 162 and regulations 2-6 adopted under that section. 2-7 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 2-8 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 2-9 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this 2-10 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 2-11 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.