79R6720 MTB-D

By:  Wong                                                         H.B. No. 2489


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of green ribbon master plans for certain districts of the Texas Department of Transportation. 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. GREEN RIBBON MASTER PLAN. (a) In this section: (1) "Green ribbon master plan" means a highway design and construction plan established by a department district that 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. (2) "Nonattainment area" has the meaning assigned by Section 548.001. (b) The commission by rule shall require each department district that includes an urban area to establish a green ribbon master plan for the 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 department district an amount equal to not less than one percent and not more than 1.25 percent of the amount to be spent under the contract for projects under the department district's green ribbon master plan. At least half of the allocation shall be used for the planting of trees and other vegetation to mitigate the effects of air pollution. (d) A department district may spend money allocated for projects under the district's green ribbon master plan that is not used for that purpose on landscaping improvements along other urban highways located in the district. (e) If two or more department districts share an allocation of money for projects under a green ribbon master plan, the district shall divide the allocation according to the proportion of the total amount of 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, 2005.