BILL ANALYSIS
By: Eissler
Culture, Recreation, & Tourism
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, many Texas cities restrict or prohibit the construction of billboards. However, municipal restrictions do not apply in rural and unincorporated areas. Chapter 391.252 (a) of the Transportation Code prohibits erecting off-premise signs that are adjacent to and visible from certain sections of highways. The purpose of this bill is to amend Chapter 391.252 (a) to add parts of five additional highways to the current list.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 391.252, Transportation Code, by amending Subsections (a) and (a-12) and adding Subsection (a-14), (a-15), (a-16), and (a-17) as follows:
(a) Removes the notation of "subsequent to the effective date of this subchapter, a".
(a-12) Removes the word "or" between Subsections (a-12) and (a-13)
(a-14) Adds State Highway 105 between Grimes and Montgomery Counties and the western city limits of the city of Conroe.
(a-15) Adds State Highway 1488 between the eastern city limits of Hempstead and Interstate Highway 45.
(a-16) Adds State Highway 90A between State Highway 59 and State Highway 6 in the city of Sugar Land
(a-17) Adds State Highway 149 between Grimes and Montgomery Counties and the northern city limits of the city of Pinehurst.
(a-18) Adds Farm-to-Market Road 2978 between Farm-to-Market Road 1488 and the boundary line between Harris and Montgomery Counties.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect September 1, 2005
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
C.S.H.B. 34 differs from the original bill in that it adds a fifth highway--Farm-to-Market Road 2978--to the current list of 13 that restrict construction of new billboards under Chapter 391.252 (a) of the Transportation Code.