BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 483

By: Meza

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

State Highway 356 is a 7.2-mile-long highway located in Irving, Texas. It was initially built in the 1940s as a farm-to-market road connecting Irving to the neighboring towns of Coppell and Lewisville. The highway has played a significant role in the development and growth of the city by connecting to major highways and providing access to various locations. H.B. 483 designates State Highway 356 as a historic highway in an effort to recognize and celebrate its contributions to the history and culture of Irving and the State of Texas. This designation will also help preserve the highway's unique character and identity, while promoting tourism and economic development in the area.

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. 483 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, 2023.