LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 14, 2009

TO:	Honorable John Carona, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation & Homeland Security
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2644 by Kent (Relating to the designation of the Bankhead Highway as a historic highway.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code to require the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to cooperate with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to establish a program to identify, designate, interpret, and market the Bankhead Highway as a Texas historic highway, for the portion of that highway located in Texas. The bill would authorize TxDOT and THC to pursue federal funds dedicated to highway enhancement for the project.

Based on the analysis of TxDOT, it is assumed the agency could incur costs for consultant services, the design and installation of highway signs, and development and production of brochures for promotion purposes. TxDOT indicates that the availability of federal highway enhancement funds for this purpose are limited. Therefore, it is assumed TxDOT would accommodate any costs associated with the implementation of the bill through the reallocation of existing State Highway Fund appropriations for transportation planning and maintenance.

Based on the analysis of THC, it is assumed the agency could absorb any costs or duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill within existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

601 Department of Transportation, 808 Historical Commission

LBB Staff:

JOB, KJG, SZ, TG