BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 591

By: Miller, Doug

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Department of Public Safety Trooper Kurt David Knapp was killed while on duty in May 2004, in an automobile accident on Interstate Highway10 near Comfort in Kendall County.  Twenty-eight years old at the time of his death, Trooper Knapp was raised in Kerrville, graduated from Tivy High School, and received a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from Southwest Texas State University. He joined the department in October 1998, graduated from the training academy in April 1999, and was promoted to the rank of Trooper II in April 2003.  His first duty station was Ozona and he was transferred to Fredericksburg in June 2003.  He received several commendations during his career. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.  H.B. 591 designates a section of Interstate Highway 10 in Kendall County, near Comfort, to be named in memory of Trooper Knapp and his sacrifice.  

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. 591 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of Interstate Highway 10 in Kendall County beginning with mile marker 522 and ending at mile marker 535 as the Trooper Kurt David Knapp Memorial Highway. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation, subject to a grant or donation of funds, to design and construct markers indicating the highway number, the designation as the Trooper Kurt David Knapp Memorial Highway, and any other appropriate information and to erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.