By:  Paxton, Woolley, Van Arsdale, Hughes,                        H.B. No. 137
 
    Keffer of Dallas, et al.                                                 


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to "Welcome to Texas" signs.                                         
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 201.617 to read as follows:
	Sec. 201.617.  "WELCOME TO TEXAS" SIGNS.  (a)  The department 
may erect a "Welcome to Texas" sign to designate the state boundary 
on an interstate, United States, or state highway entering the 
state.
	(b)  A "Welcome to Texas" sign erected by the department must 
include the following elements:
		(1)  a depiction of the state flag;                                    
		(2)  the phrase "Drive Friendly--The Texas Way"; and                   
		(3)  the phrase "Welcome to Texas--Proud to be the Home 
of President George W. Bush."
	(c)  Beginning on February 1, 2009, a "Welcome to Texas" sign 
erected by the department must include the following elements:
		(1)  a depiction of the state flag;                                    
		(2)  the phrase "Drive Friendly--The Texas Way"; and                   
		(3)  the phrase "Welcome to Texas--Proud to be the Home 
of Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, George H. W. 
Bush, and George W. Bush."
	(d)  Subsection (b) and this subsection expire on January 31, 
2009.   
	SECTION 2.  The Texas Department of Transportation shall 
ensure that a "Welcome to Texas" sign erected by the department 
before the effective date of this Act complies with this Act not 
later than January 1, 2006.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.