BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4576

By: Martinez, "Mando"

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

For over 22 years, Bill Summers has served as President and CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership.  The partnership, formerly known as the Rio Grande Chamber of Commerce, was housed at the intersection of FM 1015 and U.S. Highway 83 for over 30 years.

Bill Summers developed programs and fostered relationships to improve the region’s quality of life.  He coordinated the Rio Grande Valley Mobility Task Force which resulted in receiving funding from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in excess of $500 million for improvements.  In 2001, he was awarded the Russell H. Perry Award from TxDOT, the highest award given to a civilian.  He also facilitated a Rural Empowerment Zone application that awarded $40 million from the United States Department of Agriculture. 

Bill Summers has been past president of the Weslaco School Board, the Weslaco Lions Club, and the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce.  He was named both “Man of the Year” and “Outstanding Citizen” for the City of Weslaco.  He also served two tours of duty with the U.S. Army.

Bill Summers has been instrumental in fostering a good working relationship with Tamaulipas, Mexico.  In 1992, the partnership opened an office in Monterrey, Mexico and eventually in Cd. Victoria, the State Capitol of Tamaulipas.  Bill Summers worked closely with the Tamaulipas governor’s office to help improve highway infrastructure and expedite projects to improve the traffic corridors in the Rio Grande Valley and Tamaulipas.  He was instrumental in the improvement of  FM 1015, the main corridor between U.S. Highway 83 and the Progreso International Bridge.

H.B. 4576 designates the portion of FM 1015 between U.S. Highway 83 and the Progreso International Bridge as the “Bill Summers International Boulevard.”

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

H.B. 4576 amends the Transportation Code to designate Farm-to-Market Road 1015 between U.S. Highway 83 and the Progreso International Bridge in Hidalgo County as the Bill Summers International Boulevard.  The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to design and construct memorial markers indicating the highway number, the designation as the Bill Summers International Boulevard, and any other appropriate information.  The bill makes this requirement subject to a grant or donation of funds to TxDOT to cover the costs. The bill requires TxDOT to erect a marker at each end of the boulevard and at appropriate intermediate sites along the boulevard.  The bill exempts the designation from the requirement that a recognized individual be deceased. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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