AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Interested observers note that with the tragic loss of Army Ranger Sergeant Tanner Stone Higgins in military operations in a foreign theater, Texas has lost another brave son. These observers call for the distinguished service of Sergeant Higgins to be recognized with a tribute as special as the selfless soldier himself. H.B. 2265 seeks to honor the memory of Sergeant Higgins.

 

H.B. 2265 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of State Highway 154 from the municipal limits of Yantis in Wood County north to the municipal limits of Sulphur Springs in Hopkins County as the Sgt. Tanner Stone Higgins 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 Sgt. Tanner Stone Higgins 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.

 

H.B. 2265 amends current law relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 154 in Wood and Hopkins Counties as the Sgt. Tanner Stone Higgins Memorial Highway.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.106, as follows:

 

Sec. 225.106. SGT. TANNER STONE HIGGINS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of State Highway 154 from the municipal limits of Yantis in Wood County north to the municipal limits of Sulphur Springs in Hopkins County is designated as the Sgt. Tanner Stone Higgins Memorial Highway.

 

(b) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), subject to Section 225.021(c) (prohibiting TxDOT from designing, constructing, or erecting a marker under this subchapter unless a grant or donation of funds is made to TxDOT to cover the cost of the design, construction, and erection of the marker), to:

 

(1) design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Sgt. Tanner Stone Higgins 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. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.