BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 975
88R4483 MZM-D	By: Neave Criado et al. (Johnson)
	Transportation
	5/15/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Police officer Richard Houston II was killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call. H.B. 975 seeks to commemorate the life of Richard Houston II by designating the entire portion of Interstate Highway 635 that is within the City of Mesquite as the Officer Richard Houston II Memorial Highway.

Key Provisions:

Amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of Interstate Highway 635 in the municipal limits of Mesquite as the Officer Richard Houston II Memorial Highway.

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Requires the Texas Department of Transportation, subject to a grant or donation of funds, to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Officer Richard Houston II Memorial Highway and any other appropriate information and to erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.

H.B. 975 amends current law relating to the designation of the portion of Interstate Highway 635 in Mesquite as the Officer Richard Houston II 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 225.217, as follows:

Sec. 225.217.  OFFICER RICHARD HOUSTON II MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of Interstate Highway 635 in the municipal limits of Mesquite is designated as the Officer Richard Houston II Memorial Highway.

(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 Officer Richard Houston II 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, 2023.