BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2028
By: Watson
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) permit roadside memorials for Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers killed in the line of duty. The marker is placed on state right-of-way near the location where the DPS trooper was slain. The markers do not cost the state any money; they are paid for and erected at private expense. The handsome granite markers contain biographical information about the trooper and information about the incident that resulted in the trooper's loss of life. Other law enforcement officers killed on state highways in the line of duty do not receive such recognition. Because of the use of state highway right-of-way is controlled by TTC and TxDOT policy, a change in law to direct the inclusion of all peace officers killed in the line of duty is necessary.
As proposed, S.B. 2028 requires TTC to authorize memorial markers honoring peace officers killed in the line of duty who are not DPS troopers,
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to Texas Transportation Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 201.910, Transportation Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter K, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, by adding Section 201.910, as follows:
Sec. 201.910. MEMORIAL MARKERS FOR CERTAIN PEACE OFFICERS KILLED IN LINE OF DUTY. (a) Requires the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) by rule to authorize memorial markers honoring peace officers killed in the line of duty who are not Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers. Requires that the program established under this section be identical to TTC's existing program for memorial markers for honoring DPS troopers.
(b) Defines "peace officer."
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.