BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2201

By: Hughes

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Texas State Trooper Todd Dylan Holmes of Gilmer, Texas, was killed in the line of duty on March 14, 2007, at the age of 29. Only a few miles from his home, the overpass located on U.S. Highway 259 intersecting State Highway 155 in Upshur County was included in Trooper Holmes' area of patrol.

C.S.H.B. 2201 designates the structure on U.S. Highway 259 that passes over State Highway 155 in Upshur County as the Trooper Todd Dylan Holmes Memorial Overpass.  Additionally, the bill directs the Texas Department of Transportation to erect markers that are visible to vehicles approaching and traveling under the structure to indicate the Trooper Todd Dylan Holmes Memorial Overpass.  

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

C.S.H.B. 2201 amends the Transportation Code to designate the structure on U.S. Highway 259 that passes over State Highway 155 in Upshur County as the Trooper Todd Dylan Holmes Memorial Overpass. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to design and construct markers indicating the highway number, the designation as the Trooper Todd Dylan Holmes Memorial Overpass, and any other appropriate information and to erect a marker at each end of the structure and at appropriate intermediate sites along the structure, including a site that is visible to a vehicle traveling on State Highway 155 as the vehicle travels under the structure, and on each side of State Highway 155 at a site that is visible to approaching vehicles.  The bill makes these requirements subject to a grant or donation of funds to TxDOT to cover the costs.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2201 designates the structure on U.S. Highway 259 that passes over State Highway 155 in Upshur County as the Trooper Todd Dylan Holmes Memorial Overpass, whereas the original designates the portion of U.S. Highway 259 from mile marker #258 to mile marker #260 at its intersection with State Highway 155 in Upshur County as the Trooper Todd Dylan Holmes Memorial Overpass.  The substitute adds provisions not in the original to specify the location of markers to indicate the designation.