BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 3868

84R13026 MTB-D

By: Moody (Rodríguez)

 

Transportation

 

5/7/2015

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

As the first Euro-American trade route, a portion of a trail running from New Mexico through El Paso and into Mexico City has been designated a national historic trail. However, the portion of the trail extending through El Paso County has not been awarded any historic designation. H.B. 3868 seeks to address this issue by recognizing the significance of that portion of the trail.

 

H.B. 3868 amends current law relating to the designation of Westside Drive in El Paso County as the Don Juan de Onate Trail.

 

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 442.030, as follows:

 

Sec. 442.030. DON JUAN DE ONATE TRAIL 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 Westside Drive in El Paso County as the Don Juan de Onate Trail and a Texas historic highway.

 

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

 

(c) Prohibits a designation of Westside Drive in El Paso County as the Don Juan de Onate Trail and 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, 2015.