BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1311

By: Lucio

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Purple Heart Trail was established to commemorate and honor men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the U.S. armed forces. Additional highways have been identified for inclusion in the Purple Heart Trail since the trail was established in Texas.

S.B. 1311 seeks to designate five additional highways, extending the Purple Heart Trail from San Antonio to South Padre Island and connecting it from New Mexico to Oklahoma.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1311 amends the Transportation Code to designate the following highways, in addition to the part of Interstate Highway 35 located in Texas, as the Texas portion of the national Purple Heart Trail:

· the part of Interstate Highway 40 located in Texas;

· the part of Interstate Highway 37 from Interstate Highway 35 to U.S. Highway 77;

· the part of U.S. Highway 77 from Interstate Highway 37 to State Highway 100;

· State Highway 100; and

· Park Road 100.

S.B. 1311 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to erect a marker at locations along the trail that the department determines are appropriate, rather than requiring the department to erect a marker at each end of Interstate Highway 35 and at intermediate sites that may not be farther apart than 100 miles.

S.B. 1311 makes nonsubstantive and conforming changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2011.