AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

State Highway 20, a 78.1-mile highway which runs from the New Mexico border to Hudspeth County, has a long history as a thriving Texas thoroughfare.  The passage of H.B. 1866 will lay the foundation to revitalize parts of this historic highway that have experienced severe deterioration over the years.

 

Giving State Highway 20 this name-only designation will expand access to grants and federal funding to support revitalization and improvement efforts.

 

H.B. 1866 amends current law relating to the designation of State Highway 20 as a historic highway.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 442, Government Code, by adding Section 442.027, as follows:

 

Sec. 442.027.  STATE HIGHWAY 20 AS TEXAS HISTORIC HIGHWAY.  (a)  Requires the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to cooperate with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to designate, interpret, and market State Highway 20 as a Texas historic highway.

 

(b)  Authorizes THC and TxDOT, to supplement revenue available for the purposes under Subsection (a), to pursue federal funds dedicated to highway enhancement.

 

(c)  Prohibits a designation of State Highway 20 as a Texas historic highway from being construed as a designation under the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. Section 470 et seq.).

 

(d)  Provides that TxDOT is not required to design, construct, or erect a marker under this section unless a grant or donation of funds is made to TxDOT to cover the cost of the design, construction, and erection of the marker.  Requires that money received to cover the cost of the marker be deposited to the credit of the state highway fund.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2011.