BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.H.B. 53
80R21612 E By: Chavez (Shapleigh)
Transportation & Homeland Security
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
C.S.H.B. 53 establishes criteria for naming highways by requiring a person for which a highway is named after to be deceased and have had an impact in the lives of Texans or Texas history. This bill names a series of highways.
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 Section 225.001, Transportation Code, as follows:
Sec. 225.001. New heading: RESTRICTIONS ON NAMING HIGHWAY. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text. Deletes existing text prohibiting the Texas Transportation Commission from designating a part of the highway system, including a bridge or street, by the name of a dead individual.
(b) Prohibits a part of the highway system, including a bridge or street, from being designated by name, except as otherwise provided by statute.
(c) Authorizes a part of the highway system, including a bridge or street, to be designated by the name of a person only if the person is deceased and was significant in the state's history or in the lives of the people of this state.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 225.021, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (c) and (d), as follows:
(c) Provides that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is not required to design, construct, or erect a marker under this subchapter (Specific State Highway Names) unless a grant or donation of funds is made to TxDOT to cover the costs of the design, construction, and erection of the marker.
(d) Requires money received under Subsection (b) to be deposited to the credit of the state highway fund.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 225.051(a), Transportation Code, to provide that Loop 375 between Interstate Highway 10, rather than Zaragoza Avenue, and Santa Fe Street in El Paso County is designated as the Cesar Chavez Border Highway.
SECTION 4. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.065, as follows:
Sec. 225.065. RUSSELL H. PERRY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Designates Interstate Highway 345 located in Dallas between Interstate Highway 30 and Spur 366 as the Russell H. Perry Memorial Highway.
(b) Requires TxDOT to design and construct markers indicating the highway number, the designation as the Russell H. Perry Memorial Highway, and any other appropriate information.
(c) Requires TxDOT to erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.
SECTION 5. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.066, as follows:
Sec. 225.066. VETERANS HIGHWAY. (a) Designates Loop 534 between Interstate Highway 10 and State Highway 173 located in Kerrville as the Veterans Highway.
(b) Requires TxDOT to design and construct markers indicating the highway number, the designation as the Veterans Highway, and any other appropriate information.
(c) Requires TxDOT to erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.
SECTION 6. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.067, as follows:
Sec. 225.067. TOM RAMSAY HIGHWAY. (a) Designates the portion of State Highway 37 located in Franklin County as the Tom Ramsay Highway.
(b) Requires TxDOT to design and construct markers indicating the highway number, the designation as the Tom Ramsay Highway, and any other appropriate information.
(c) Requires TxDOT to erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.
SECTION 7. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.068, as follows:
Sec. 225.068. JASON OLIFF MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Designates the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 2004 located in Brazoria County as the Jason Oliff Memorial Highway.
(b) Requires TxDOT to design and construct markers indicating the highway number, the designation as the Jason Oliff Memorial Highway, and any other appropriate information.
(c) Requires TxDOT to erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.
SECTION 8. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.069, as follows:
Sec. 225.069. HONORABLE STILLMAN DUDLEY HARRISON HIGHWAY. Requires TxDOT to designate U.S. Highway 90, from the Blue Star rest area southeast of Sanderson to the Val Verde County line.
SECTION 9. Requires the Texas Department of Transportation to erect a marker at appropriate intermediate sites at each end of the Cesar Chavez Border Highway, as redesignated by this Act.
SECTION 10. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.