HBA-MSH C.S.S.B. 1129 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.S.B. 1129
By: Bernsen
Transportation
5/18/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



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. C.S.S.B. 1129 requires TxDOT  to study the feasibility of adopting a
scenic byways program and to study current regulations affecting billboards
in Texas, including vegetation control regulations. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 1129 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to study
current regulations affecting billboards in Texas, including vegetation
control regulations, and the feasibility of adopting a scenic byways
program in accordance with the federal National Scenic Byways Program.  The
bill requires the department to report the findings of the study to the
78th Legislature not later than January 1, 2003. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.S.B. 1129 differs from the original by requiring the Texas Department
of Transportation to study current regulations affecting billboards in
Texas.