BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 139

By: Eltife

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

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. S.B. 139 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

S.B. 139 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.