BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 79

By: Simpson

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Master Sergeant Travis E. Watkins was born on September 5, 1920, in Waldo, Arkansas, but was raised in Troup, Texas. Sergeant Watkins was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Korean War where he gave his life saving those of his fellow soldiers. Sergeant Watkins is buried in the Gladewater Memorial Park Cemetery in East Texas, and interested parties note that the local American Legion Post has bestowed upon him the honor of having a post named after him in memory of his gallant sacrifices for his fellow servicemembers and for his country. These parties further note that Sergeant Watkins has also been honored by the State of Texas, which named the newest veterans home in Tyler for him and another notable East Texas veteran. C.S.H.B. 79 seeks to pay further tribute to Sergeant Watkins and honor his life and service to the United States of America.

 

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. 79 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of U.S. Highway 80 from U.S. Highway 271 in Gregg County to the eastern municipal boundary of Big Sandy in Upshur County as the Sergeant Travis E. Watkins Memorial Highway, in addition to any other designation. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation, subject to a grant or donation of funds, to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Sergeant Travis E. Watkins 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

 

September 1, 2013.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 79 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and highlighted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

INTRODUCED

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 225.091 to read as follows:

Sec. 225.091.  SERGEANT TRAVIS E. WATKINS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) The portion of U.S. Highway 80 from U.S. Highway 271 in Gregg County to the eastern municipal boundary of Big Sandy in Upshur County is designated as the Sergeant Travis E. Watkins Memorial Highway. The designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b)  Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall:

(1)  design and construct markers indicating the highway number, the designation as the Sergeant Travis E. Watkins Memorial Highway, and any other appropriate information; and

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

 

SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 225.091 to read as follows:

Sec. 225.091.  SERGEANT TRAVIS E. WATKINS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY.  (a)  The portion of U.S. Highway 80 from U.S. Highway 271 in Gregg County to the eastern municipal boundary of Big Sandy in Upshur County is designated as the Sergeant Travis E. Watkins Memorial Highway.  The designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b)  Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall:

(1)  design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Sergeant Travis E. Watkins Memorial Highway and any other appropriate information; and

 

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

 

SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.

 

SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.