Several groups in Houston, along with BikeTexas, had hopes that HB 1943 would allow for the development of trails along utility right-of-ways, in order to connect five major bayou trails in the Houston area. By absolving from liability the owners and/or operators of utility right-of-ways in Houston and El Paso, HB 1943 would have facilitated development of multi-use walking and biking trails along utility easements in those areas.
Other bills were introduced that would have had similar impacts state-wide. BikeTexas threw its support behind HB 1943 because it had the best chance of passing. In addition, by focusing on a limited area to start, there would have been time to see if such a law promotes any unintended negative consequences. This bill made it out of the Land and Resource Management Committee with no dissenting votes, but subsequently died in the Calendars Committee.
