HBA-MSH H.B. 1825 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1825
By: Coleman
Transportation
4/22/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The National Scenic Byways Program is a federal program to recognize and
enhance roads which have outstanding scenic, historic, cultural, natural,
recreational, or archaeological qualities.  The  Federal Highway
Administration has $21 million  in discretionary funding for this program
for fiscal year 2001 and pays 80 percent of the costs of an eligible
project.  The creation of a state scenic byways program would allow the
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to apply for these federal
funds.  House Bill 1825 requires TxDOT to develop, implement, and
administer a program to designate scenic byways. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Department of Transportation
in SECTION 1 (Section 221.004, Transportation Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1825 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT)  to develop, implement, and administer
a program to designate as scenic byways (byways) state highways or portions
of state highways that have notable scenic, historic, cultural, natural,
recreational, or archaeological qualities.  The program is to: 

 _encourage and coordinate actions by the state and other entities to
develop, protect, promote, and manage the byways; 

 _enhance recreational, cultural, and archeological resources along the
byways; 

 _promote economic development along the byways; and

 _educate residents and visitors to the state on the history, culture, and
natural beauty of Texas. 

The bill requires TxDOT to adopt rules for the administration of the byways
program and requires TxDOT to structure the program to maximize the amount
of money available for the program from the federal government. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.