BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 3841

82R23452 JXC-D

By: Martinez, "Mando" (Lucio)

 

International Relations and Trade

 

5/19/2011

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Rudy Villarreal was born in Alamo, Texas, in 1934.  He has lived in Alamo all his life except during the time he served in the United States Navy.  Mr. Villarreal attended local public schools and lettered in both football and track.  After enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1951, he served a total of 23 years, participating in both the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.  While in the military he was awarded the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Letter of Commendation (Chief of Naval Operations), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Taiwan), Good Conduct Medal (Fifth Award), Combat Action Ribbon, and Meritorious Unit Commendation.

 

Upon retiring from the U.S. Navy in 1975, Rudy Villarreal returned to his hometown of Alamo with a desire to continue serving others.  He was appointed to the Alamo Housing Authority in 1979 and subsequently appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission, serving until 1982.  Rudy Villarreal has served the City of Alamo as its mayor, city manager, or city commissioner since 1983.  He was reelected mayor in 1995 and continues to serve in that office, contributing to the city's growth and prosperity.  Since 1983, the city's population has grown from approximately 5,000 to nearly 20,000 people, and numerous public works, infrastructure, parks, and streets have been built under his leadership.  When Mr. Villarreal was first elected mayor of Alamo, the city had a deficit budget.  Today, it  boasts a $3.5 million surplus.

 

The purpose of H.B 3841 is to honor a man who not only served his country with great distinction, but also has served the town in which he was born and raised.  H.B. 3841 designates FM 907 (Alamo Road) from Military Highway (U.S. 281) to Owassa Road as Rudy Villarreal Road.

 

H.B. 3841 amends current law relating to the designation of a portion of Farm-to-Market Road 907 in Hidalgo County as Rudy Villarreal Road.

 

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 Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.082, as follows:

 

Sec. 225.082.  RUDY VILLARREAL ROAD.  (a)  Designates the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 907 between U.S. Highway 281 and Owassa Road in Hidalgo County as Rudy Villarreal Road.

 

(b)  Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), subject to Section 225.021(c) (relating to providing that TxDOT is not required to design, construct, or erect a marker under this subchapter unless a grant or donation of funds is made to cover the cost of the design, construction, and erection of the marker), to:

 

(1)  design and construct markers indicating the highway number, the designation as Rudy Villarreal Road, and any other appropriate information; and

 

(2)  erect a marker at each end of the road and at appropriate intermediate sites along the road.

 

(c)  Provides that the requirement that a recognized individual be deceased under Section 225.001 (Restrictions on Naming Highway) does not apply to this section.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2011.