H.B. 659 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 659
By: Pitts
Transportation
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

David M. Laney was appointed by Governor George W. Bush to the Texas
Transportation Commission in April of 1995, designating him its chairman
and Commissioner of Transportation.  Mr. Laney championed efforts to
increase the Texas share of federal transportation dollars.  Throughout
his tenure on the commission, Mr. Laney provided strong and confident
leadership to the Texas Department of Transportation, promoting the
development of a first-class Texas transportation system.  His legacy is a
transportation agency with a menu of solid financial and operational tools
providing a safe, effective, and environmentally sensitive transporttion
system for the people of Texas and the nation. As proposed, HB 659
designates the interchange of U.S. Highway 75 and Interstate Highway 635
in Dallas as the David M. Laney High Five Interchange.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

Section 1 amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding
Section 225.0425, as follows: 

Sec. 225.0425. DAVID M. LANEY HIGH FIVE INTERCHANGE.  (a) The interchange
of U.S. Highway 75 and Interstate Highway 635 in Dallas is designated as
the David M. Laney High Five Interchange.  The department shall design and
construct memorial markers indicating the designation as the David M.
Laney High Five Interchange and any other appropriate information.  The
department shall erect a marker at appropriate sites along the
interchange. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
will take effect September 1, 2003.