The text as introduced · 506 words
89R13475 CMO-F
By: Metcalf
H.B. No. 4230
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.
Monitoring 
