BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1249

By: Nevárez

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

U.S. Army Major General Alfred A. Valenzuela, a San Antonio-born commander of the U.S. Army South at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, has distinguished himself through exceptional performance and dedication while serving his country. Because of his meritorious cooperation with the U.S. military, General Valenzuela has been granted numerous awards, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. General Valenzuela was also recognized by Hispanic Business magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential Hispanics" in 2001. C.S.H.B. 1249 seeks to further recognize General Valenzuela by proposing to designate portions of State Highway 17 and U.S. Highway 67 as the General Alfred Valenzuela Highway.

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. 1249 amends the Transportation Code to designate as the General Alfred Valenzuela Highway the portion of State Highway 17 from the western municipal boundary of Balmorhea to its intersection with U.S. Highway 67 and the portion of U.S. Highway 67 from its intersection with State Highway 17 to the northern municipal boundary of Presidio. 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 General Alfred Valenzuela 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. The bill specifies that a reference to a municipal boundary in the bill's provisions means that boundary as it exists on September 1, 2013.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 1249 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. GENERAL ALFRED VALENZUELA HIGHWAY. (a) The following highways are designated as the General Alfred Valenzuela Highway: (1) State Highway 17 from the western municipal boundary of Balmorhea to its intersection with State Highway 67; and (2) State Highway 67 from its intersection with State Highway 17 to the northern municipal boundary of Presidio. (b) Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall: (1) design and construct markers indicating the highway number, the designation as the General Alfred Valenzuela 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. (c) In this section, a reference to a municipal boundary means that boundary as it exists on September 1, 2013.	SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 225.091 to read as follows: Sec. 225.091. GENERAL ALFRED VALENZUELA HIGHWAY. (a) The following highways are designated as the General Alfred Valenzuela Highway: (1) State Highway 17 from the western municipal boundary of Balmorhea to its intersection with United States Highway 67; and (2) United States Highway 67 from its intersection with State Highway 17 to the northern municipal boundary of Presidio. (b) Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall: (1) design and construct markers indicating the designation as the General Alfred Valenzuela 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. (c) In this section, a reference to a municipal boundary means that boundary as it exists on September 1, 2013.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.