Regular Session
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation
No amendments required. This designation does not alter the legal description of properties, nor does it trigger force majeure or change-of-address clauses in existing vendor or real estate agreements.
Logistics & Dispatch:
None. The postal address for businesses located on this route remains FM 70. Do not file change-of-address forms with the Secretary of State, IRS, or USPS based on this legislation.
None. There are no mandatory fees. The cost of signage is borne entirely by voluntary private donations, not by tax assessments on local businesses.
The "Funding Trigger" (Transportation Code § 225.021(c)):
The law explicitly prohibits TxDOT from designing, constructing, or erecting the markers until the department receives a grant or donation to cover the cost.
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Schedule ConsultationInformation presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.
This bill's path through the Texas Legislature
BILL ANALYSIS
| Senate Research Center | S.B. 1709 |
| 89R87 MZM-D | By: Hinojosa, Adam |
| Transportation | |
| 3/14/2025 | |
| As Filed |
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 1709 was requested by local law enforcement officers to enhance search and rescue efforts. Clearly marked signs displaying "Los Robles Trail" will enable individuals to accurately communicate their location to authorities in the event they become lost, significantly improving response times and overall safety.
S.B. 1709 would change the designation of the portion of Farm to Market Road 70 in Nueces County between its intersection with State Highway 44 and its intersection with Farm to Market Road 1833 to "Los Robles Trail."
As proposed, S.B. 1709 amends current law relating to the designation of a portion of Farm to Market Road 70 in Nueces County as the Los Robles Trail.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.244, as follows:
Sec. 225.244. LOS ROBLES TRAIL. (a) Provides that the portion of Farm to Market Road 70 in Nueces County between its intersection with State Highway 44 and its intersection with Farm to Market Road 1833 is designated as the Los Robles Trail. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.
(b) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), subject to Section 225.021(c) (relating to prohibiting TxDOT from designing, constructing, or erecting a marker unless a grant or donation of funds is made to cover the costs), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Los Robles Trail and any other appropriate information and erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
| S.B. No. 1709 | ||
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| relating to the designation of a portion of Farm to Market Road 70 | ||
| in Nueces County as the Los Robles Trail. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, | ||
| is amended by adding Section 225.244 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 225.244. LOS ROBLES TRAIL. (a) The portion of Farm to | ||
| Market Road 70 in Nueces County between its intersection with State | ||
| Highway 44 and its intersection with Farm to Market Road 1833 is | ||
| designated as the Los Robles Trail. The designation is in addition | ||
| to any other designation. | ||
| (b) Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall: | ||
| (1) design and construct four markers indicating the | ||
| designation as the Los Robles Trail and any other appropriate | ||
| information; and | ||
| (2) erect a marker at each end of the highway and at | ||
| appropriate intermediate sites along the highway. | ||
| SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. | ||
| TO: | Honorable Robert Nichols, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation |
| FROM: | Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB1709 by Hinojosa, Adam (Relating to the designation of a portion of Farm to Market Road 70 in Nueces County as the Los Robles Trail.), As Introduced |
| Source Agencies: | 601 Department of Transportation |
| LBB Staff: | JMc, AAL, TG |
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Common questions about SB1709
SB 1709 designates the portion of Farm to Market Road 70 in Nueces County (between State Highway 44 and Farm to Market Road 1833) as the "Los Robles Trail. " This is a ceremonial designation that imposes no new taxes, fees, or regulatory filings on private entities. Impact is limited to logistics providers and businesses with physical frontages on this specific corridor who may need to update navigational data.
SB1709 was authored by Texas Senator Adam Hinojosa during the Regular Session.
SB1709 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.
SB1709 is enforced by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
The compliance urgency for SB1709 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.
The cost impact of SB1709 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
SB1709 addresses topics including nueces county, highways, los robles trail, signs and transportation, texas department of.
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