By: Buckingham, et al. S.B. No. 941
 
  (Morales of Maverick)
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the adoption of a state scenic byways program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter I, Chapter 391, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 391.256 to read as follows:
         Sec. 391.256.  SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM.  (a)  The department
  shall plan, design, and establish a program for designating
  highways as State Scenic Byways.
         (b)  The program must include a process by which the
  department:
               (1)  receives proposals from political subdivisions or
  other community groups approved by the department for funding
  projects in accordance with 23 U.S.C. Section 162;
               (2)  applies for grants under 23 U.S.C. Section 162 for
  the projects; and
               (3)  allows an applicant who consents to pay for the
  costs of the projects that are not covered by grants made under 23
  U.S.C. Section 162.
         (c)  A highway must be designated as a State Scenic Byway
  under the program established by this section before the department
  applies for a grant under Subsection (b)(2) for a project related to
  the highway.
         (d)  The department may use money from the state highway fund
  for a project that receives a grant made under 23 U.S.C. Section 162
  only for the purpose of satisfying matching funds requirements for
  the grant.
         (e)  The department may only designate a highway described by
  Section 391.252 as a State Scenic Byway.
         (f)  The commission by rule shall prohibit outdoor
  advertising in a manner consistent with 23 U.S.C. Section 131(s) on
  a State Scenic Byway designated under this section.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2021, the Texas
  Department of Transportation shall establish the program required
  by Section 391.256, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, and
  the Texas Transportation Commission shall adopt rules as necessary
  to implement that section.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.