BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3841

By: Martinez, "Mando"

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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 U.S. 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 C.S.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.  C.S.H.B. 3841 designates FM 907 (Alamo Road) from Military Highway (U.S. 281) to Owassa Road as Rudy Villarreal Road.

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. 3841 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 907 between U.S. Highway 281 and Owassa Road in Hidalgo County as Rudy Villarreal Road. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation, subject to the availability of funds, to design and construct markers indicating the highway number, the designation as Rudy Villarreal Road, and any other appropriate information and to erect a marker at each end of the road and at appropriate intermediate sites along the road. The bill makes the statutory requirement that a recognized individual be deceased inapplicable to the bill's provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 3841 differs from the original by designating the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 907 between U.S. Highway 281 and Owassa Road, whereas the original designates Farm-to-Market Road 907 between U.S. Highway 281 and Farm-to Market Road 1925.