78R8594 JTS-D

By:  Coleman                                                      H.B. No. 2280



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring the Texas Transportation Commission to 
require each highway district of the state that includes an urban 
area to establish a green ribbon master plan for the area.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 201.616 to read as follows:
	Sec. 201.616.  GREEN RIBBON MASTER PLANS.  (a)  In this 
section, "green ribbon master plan" means a highway design and 
construction plan of a district that is established by the district 
in compliance with commission rule and includes emphasis on the 
planting of vegetation, the use of public art, and a respect for 
local neighborhoods in the design and construction of highways in 
an urban area in the district.
	(b)  The commission by rule shall require each district in 
this state that includes an urban area to establish a green ribbon 
master plan for that urban area.
	(c)  For each contract for an urban highway transportation 
project that is located in a nonattainment area or a 
near–nonattainment area, the department shall allocate to the 
district an amount equal to not less than one-half of one percent 
and not more than one percent of the amount to be spent under the 
contract for projects under the district's green ribbon master 
plan.  At least half of the allocation shall be used for the 
planting of trees and other vegetation that help mitigate the 
effects of air pollution.
	(d)  A transportation district may spend money allocated for 
a project that is part of the district's green ribbon master plan 
that is not used for the project on landscaping improvements along 
another urban highway located in the same district.
	(e)  If two or more transportation districts share an 
allocation for projects under a green ribbon master plan, the 
districts shall divide the allocation according to the portion of 
the amount under the contract that will be spent in each district.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.