Relating to the establishment of a hike and bike trail to be known as the Bicentennial Trail.

89(R) SB 1520 - Introduced version - Bill Text

89R13475 CMO-F

By: Campbell, Flores

S.B. No. 1520

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a hike and bike trail to be known

as the Bicentennial Trail.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 31, Natural Resources Code, is amended

by adding Subchapter J to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER J. BICENTENNIAL TRAIL

Sec.

31.501.

DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "hike and

bike trail" means a trail designed for the exclusive use of

pedestrians and bicyclists.

Sec.

31.5011.

ESTABLISHMENT OF BICENTENNIAL TRAIL. (a)

The land office shall coordinate the establishment of a hike and

bike trail network for the purposes described by Section 31.502,

with connections as described by that section, to be known as the

Bicentennial Trail.

(b)

The land office shall undertake to ensure that the

Bicentennial Trail is established on or before January 1, 2036.

(c)

As necessary or convenient to coordinate the

establishment of the Bicentennial Trail, the land office shall

enter into memoranda of understanding with:

(1)

political subdivisions, nonprofit organizations,

the Texas Department of Transportation, and other persons as

necessary to establish and maintain the trail; and

(2) the Parks and Wildlife Department:

(A)

to acquire real property or interests in real

property as necessary to complete the trail routes; and

(B)

concerning other matters related to the

establishment of the trail or the maintenance of the trail and

property associated with the trail.

(d)

A memorandum of understanding entered into under

Subsection (c) may address:

(1) coordination of trail development;

(2) trail maintenance;

(3) acquisition of interests in real property;

(4) conservation efforts along the trail routes; or

(5)

any other matter pertinent to the establishment or

maintenance of the trail.

(e)

The land office may adopt rules as necessary to

coordinate the establishment of the Bicentennial Trail, including a

timeline for the acquisition of real property and real property

interests as necessary to complete the trail route.

(f)

Real property or interests in real property necessary to

complete the trail routes may not be acquired through eminent

domain.

(g) This section expires September 1, 2037.

Sec.

31.502.

BICENTENNIAL TRAIL PURPOSES. The Bicentennial

Trail is established as a network of hike and bike trails to connect

the Alamo to the State Capitol and to include hike and bike trail

connections to Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs, Comal Springs,

and San Antonio Springs for the purposes of promoting outdoor

recreation, environmental stewardship, and the historical and

cultural heritage of this state.

Sec.

31.503.

USE OF BICENTENNIAL TRAIL PROPERTY. Real

property acquired by this state for the Bicentennial Trail may be

used only for the purposes of the Bicentennial Trail.

Sec.

31.504.

BICENTENNIAL TRAIL MAINTENANCE. The Parks and

Wildlife Department shall maintain any real property acquired by

this state for the Bicentennial Trail.

SECTION 2. The expiration of Section 31.5011, Natural

Resources Code, as added by this Act, does not affect the validity

of a memorandum of understanding entered into under that section.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.