BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1185
	By: Alvarado
	Transportation
	5/24/2021
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Vanessa Guill�n was one of five children, a natural born athlete, and a dedicated ROTC member at Chavez High School in Houston, Texas. Upon graduation at the age of 18, she enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Hood. Two months after disappearing from Fort Hood in 2020, Vanessa was found brutally murdered. Prior to her disappearance, Vanessa had complained about sexual harassment by an unnamed Army member at Fort Hood. The fight continues for answers regarding her death and the handling of her harassment claims.

In July 2020, the Guill�n family met with President Trump to discuss the case and potential changes that could be made to encourage change in the military's response to sexual harassment claims. Her disappearance and death devastated her family, friends, neighbors, and members of the military across the country. Designating State Highway 3 as the Vanessa Guill�n Memorial Highway will serve as a visible reminder to her community of the importance of her life and dedication to service.

S.B. 1185 will designate a portion of State Highway 3 in Harris County as the Vanessa Guill�n Memorial Highway.

S.B. 1185 amends current law relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 3 in Harris County as the Vanessa Guillen Memorial Highway.

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 225.190, as follows:

Sec. 225.190. VANESSA GUILLEN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of State Highway 3 in Harris County between its intersection with Interstate Highway 45 and its intersection with Almeda Genoa Road is designated as the Vanessa Guillen Memorial Highway. 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 cost), to:

(1) design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Vanessa Guillen Memorial Highway 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. Effective date: September 1, 2021.