By: Paxton (Senate Sponsor - Carona) H.B. No. 693

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 3, 2007; May 7, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security; May 9, 2007, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 9, 2007, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the form of "Welcome to Texas" signs along certain highways.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 201.617, Transportation Code, as added by Chapter 474, Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(b) A "Welcome to Texas" sign erected by the department must include the following elements:

(1) a depiction of the state flag; and

(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) If the president of the United States is a resident of Texas, a "Welcome to Texas" sign erected by the department must include the phrase "Welcome to Texas--Proud Home of President [insert name of the president of the United States]."

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 September 1, 2009.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 20, 2009.

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