88R12669 AJZ-D
 
  By: Hunter H.B. No. 2894
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the construction of a bridge crossing Laguna Madre.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 201.625 to read as follows:
         Sec. 201.625.  LAGUNA MADRE BRIDGE. (a) The department
  shall:
               (1)  develop a plan, conduct an environmental review,
  and propose a design for a bridge crossing Laguna Madre in Nueces or
  Kleberg County in addition to the John F. Kennedy Memorial
  Causeway; and
               (2)  on construction of the bridge described by
  Subdivision (1), designate the bridge as part of the state highway
  system.
         (b)  The bridge described by Subsection (a) must provide an
  additional evacuation route for residents of North Padre Island in
  the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster.
         (c)  The department shall include the bridge described by
  this section in the unified transportation program under Subchapter
  P.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.