BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1285

By: Morales, Eddie

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been calls from across the state to further recognize the Davis Mountains located in Jeff Davis County in hopes of attracting more visitors to this picturesque area of West Texas. H.B. 1285 seeks to provide this recognition by designating certain portions of state highways near the mountains as the Davis Mountains Scenic Loop Highway and by marketing the route 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. 1285 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 route formed by State Highway 166 and the portion of State Highway 118 between Fort Davis and its intersection with State Highway 166 as the Davis Mountains Scenic Loop Highway and a Texas historic highway. The bill authorizes the commission and TxDOT to pursue federal funds dedicated to highway enhancement to supplement revenue available for these purposes but prohibits the designation as a Texas historic highway from being construed as a federal designation under the federal National Historic Preservation Act. The bill establishes that TxDOT is not required to design, construct, or erect a marker for the route 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, 2021.