1. (a) The department shall plan, design, and establish a program for designating highways as State Scenic Byways.

2. (b) The program must include a process by which the department:

   1. (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. (2) applies for grants under 23 U.S.C. Section 162 for the projects; and
   3. (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.
3. (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.
4. (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.
5. (e) The department may only designate a highway described by Section 391.252 as a State Scenic Byway.
6. (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.

Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 158 (S.B. 941), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.