BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2265

By: Hughes

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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. C.S.H.B. 2265 seeks to honor the memory of Sergeant Higgins.

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

C.S.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.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 2265 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted 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 225.106 to read as follows: Sec. 225.106.  SGT. TANNER STONE HIGGINS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY.  (a) 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)  Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall: (1)  design and construct markers indicating the highway number, 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 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 225.106 to read as follows: Sec. 225.106.  SGT. TANNER STONE HIGGINS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY.  (a) 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)  Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall: (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.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.