House Bill 1013

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO DESIGNATE A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF ROAD IN UNION AND LAFAYETTE COUNTIES AS AN OFFICIAL SCENIC BYWAY TO BE KNOWN AS THE "WILLIAM FAULKNER SCENIC BYWAY"; TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN MARKERS DESIGNATING THE CHICKASA-LEAF BARN QUILT TRAIL; TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN MARKERS RECOGNIZING THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART AT THE ENTRANCES OF STATE HIGHWAYS IN THE COUNTIES OF MISSISSIPPI; TO AMEND SECTION 65-41-69, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADD CERTAIN SEGMENTS OF ROAD IN DESOTO COUNTY AS PART OF THE DELTA BLUFFS SCENIC BYWAY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The following highways, roads or streets located in the State of Mississippi are hereby designated as an official Mississippi Scenic Byway to be known as the "William Faulkner Scenic Byway" pursuant to Section 65-41-1 et seq.: Beginning at the intersection of Mississippi Highway 30 and County Road 14 in Union County and continuing westerly along Mississippi Highway 30 to its intersection with County Road 229 in Lafayette County.

SECTION 2. (1) The Mississippi Transportation Commission is hereby authorized and directed to allow for the erection of two (2) markers designating the Chickasa-Leaf Barn Quilt Trail, with one (1) at the intersection of Mississippi Highway 98 and Mississippi Highway 57 North, which is outside and east of the McLain corporate limits, and another at the intersection of Mississippi Highway 57 South and Highway 63 South, which is within the Leakesville corporate limits.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall not be responsible for erecting or maintaining the markers described in subsection (1) of this section.

SECTION 3. (1) The Mississippi Transportation Commission is hereby authorized and directed to allow for the erection of markers recognizing the Military Order of the Purple Heart at the entrances of state highways in the counties of Mississippi, subject to the limitation that only four (4) markers be authorized for erection per county.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall not be responsible for purchasing, erecting or maintaining the markers described in subsection (1) of this section, or any other material related to the erection of such markers. However, the Mississippi Transportation Commission may promulgate rules and regulations in regard to marker placement at the designated entrances. Marker size shall not exceed two (2) feet by two (2) feet. Local governing authorities may assist in the erection of the markers, but shall not be required to do so.

SECTION 4. Section 65-41-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

65-41-69. The following highways, roads or streets located in the State of Mississippi are hereby designated in the following * * * ~~three (3)~~ four (4) segments as an official Mississippi Scenic Byway to be known as the "Delta Bluffs Scenic Byway" pursuant to Section 65-41-1 et seq.:

(a) Northern Branch: Beginning at the intersection of Austin Road and Mississippi Highway 301 and continuing westward to the intersection of Delta View Road and Austin Road; then north along Delta View Road to the Great River Road National Scenic Byway (connectivity through the Town of Walls via Delta View Road, U.S. Highway 161 and 2nd Street);

(b) Central Branch: Beginning at the intersection of Mississippi Highway 301 and Austin Road and continuing south along Mississippi Highway 301 to Arkabutla Lake; * * * ~~and~~

(c) East-West Branch: Beginning at the intersection of Old Mississippi Highway 304 and Interstate 55 in Hernando and continuing westward to Bluff Road * * *.; and

(d) Robertson Gin Road Extension Branch: Beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 51 and Commerce Street in DeSoto County and continuing south along U.S. Highway 51 to Oak Grove Road; thence westward on Oak Grove Road to Robinson Gin Road; then south along Robinson Gin Road to Wheeler Road; thence westward along Wheeler Road to its point of terminus at Hernando Point at Arkabutla Lake.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.