BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 481

By: Stephenson

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties have pointed to the growing desire to recognize Master Sergeant Mike C. Peña for his selfless service in the Korean War. The steadfast bravery exhibited by Sergeant Peña in sacrificing his life to save retreating members of his platoon deserves an acknowledgement as grand as his gesture. H.B. 481 seeks to recognize Sergeant Peña's heroism with a memorial highway designation.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 481 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 1301 in Wharton County between its intersection with the Matagorda County line and Richmond Road as the Master Sergeant Mike C. Peña 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 Master Sergeant Mike C. Peña 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, 2015.