BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 968

79R6795 DRH-D                                                                                                    By: Carona et al.

Transportation & Homeland Security

4/4/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

As proposed, S.B. 968 allows the Texas Department of Transportation to provide grants to certain projects such as The Make Ends Meet Cottonwood Trail Project, a partnership between private and public entities, that will benefit residents of Dallas, Richardson, and Plano.  The Make Ends Meet project to complete the Cottonwood Trail has the potential to improve the quality of life and health of countless numbers of area residents.  In addition, it will attract bicyclists and joggers to this area who want to experience the effect alternative forms of transportation can bring to an urban environment.

The Cottonwood Trail is 1.5 miles and approximately $3.9 million is needed to complete a system of hike-and-bike trails that will connect the Preston Ridge Trail in Plano with the White Rock Creek Trail in Dallas.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Transportation in SECTION 1 (Section 201.617, Transportation Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, by adding Section 201.617, as follows:

Sec.  201.617.  GRANTS FOR RECREATIONAL TRAILS.  (a)  Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), to enhance transportation options and provide health benefits to the residents of this state, to implement a program under which TxDOT grants money to counties and municipalities for projects involving the construction, maintenance, or improvement of recreational trials for use by pedestrians or bicyclists.

(b)  Requires TxDOT to make certain considerations in determining whether to award a grant under this section.

(c)  Requires TxDOT to give priority to making grants under this section for projects that interconnect with other existing recreational trails and allow for access to major recreational, educational, medical, commercial, or cultural facilities.

(d)  Requires TxDOT to adopt rules as necessary to implement the program authorized by this section.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2005.