(a) Notwithstanding Section 418.018, Government Code, in a county with a population of less than 75,000 and with a verifiable history of wildfire, the department may designate an emergency evacuation route for use in the event of a wildfire emergency. The department may establish criteria to determine which areas of a county are subject to a potential wildfire emergency.(b) The department may assist in the improvement of a designated wildfire emergency evacuation route.(c) Criteria for determining a wildfire emergency evacuation route must provide for evacuation of commercial establishments such as motels, hotels, and other businesses with overnight accommodations.(d) A wildfire emergency evacuation route designated under Subsection (a) may include federal or state highways or county roads. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1345 (S.B. 1420), Sec. 20, eff. September 1, 2011.