BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1075

By: Meza

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

State Highway 356, also known as Irving Boulevard, is a historic roadway and one of the first roadways in Dallas County dating to the days the county was settled. It has remained for more than a century as a vital transportation artery for the city of Irving and for Dallas County. The highway is also an example of local and state governments partnering to meet local needs in expanding a state highway. In 1965, the City of Irving partnered with the then-Texas Highway department to provide nearly $100,000 for right-of-way acquisition to expand Highway 356 to a large local employer. In recognition of the historic importance of the roadway, H.B. 1075 seeks to make State Highway 356 in Irving designated as a Texas historic highway.

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. 1075 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 those purposes but prohibits the designation from being construed as a designation under the federal National Historic Preservation Act. TxDOT is not required 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 those costs. 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, 2021.