BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2043

By: Meza

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that designating the portion of State Highway 356 in the municipal limits of Irving as a Texas historic highway will provide certain protections in the area as well as an economic benefit. H.B. 2043 seeks to address this issue by providing for such designation.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2043 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Historical Commission to cooperate with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to designate, interpret, and market the portion of State Highway 356 in the municipal limits of Irving as a Texas historic highway. The bill authorizes the commission and TxDOT to pursue federal funds dedicated to highway enhancement to supplement revenue available for such purposes. The bill prohibits a designation of a portion of State Highway 356 as a Texas historic highway from being construed as a designation under the federal National Historic Preservation Act. The bill expressly does not require TxDOT to design, construct, or erect a marker under the bill's provisions unless a grant or donation of funds is made to TxDOT to cover the cost of the design, construction, and erection of the marker. The bill requires money received to cover the cost of the marker to be deposited to the credit of the state highway fund.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.