BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1963

By: Deshotel

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that Texans lost a valuable member of the law enforcement community with the death of Parks and Wildlife Department Game Warden Michael C. Pauling. These parties contend that Game Warden Pauling's selfless service in the U.S. armed forces, in the medical service corps, as a Texas game warden, and in the protection of the vulnerable should be honored with a tribute as outstanding and reputable as his career. H.B. 1963 seeks to provide tribute with a memorial highway.

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. 1963 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of State Highway 87 from the bridge over the intercoastal canal in Port Arthur to its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 3322 in Sabine Pass as the Texas Game Warden Michael C. Pauling Memorial Highway. 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 Texas Game Warden Michael C. Pauling 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

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.