AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Travis County Senior Deputy Jessica Hollis tragically lost her life in the line of duty in September 2014 when she was swept away while inspecting a low-water crossing. She left behind a husband, who serves in the Austin Police Department, and a young son.
Deputy Hollis began her career with the Austin Police Department and went on to serve the sheriff's office for seven years. Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton referred to Deputy Hollis as a "good role model" who "touched lives all across the agency."
To honor Deputy Hollis' service and sacrifice, C.S.S.B. 415 designates the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 685 in Travis County that runs from State Highway 130 to East Pecan Street as "Deputy Jessica Hollis Memorial Highway" In addition, C.S.S.B. 415 instructs the Texas Department of Transportation to construct and erect markers to indicate this designation. In keeping with current law, private donations will be raised to cover the cost of the markers.
The substitute differs from the original bill by making two changes that were suggested by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
First, the committee substitute changes the name of the road from the “Deputy Jessica Hollis Boulevard” to the “Deputy Jessica Hollis Memorial Highway.” This change affects the “relating to” clause and Section 1 of the bill. TxDOT suggested the change to ensure that businesses and homeowners do not have to change their address.
Second, the committee substitute removes the requirement that TxDOT include the highway number on the required markers. This change affects Section 1 of the bill (specifically new Section 225.104(b)(1), Transportation Code), and brings the bill into compliance with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
C.S.S.B. 415 amends current law relating to the designation of a portion of Farm-to-Market Road 685 in Travis County as the Deputy Jessica Hollis Memorial Highway.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.104, as follows:
Sec. 225.104. DEPUTY JESSICA HOLLIS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 685 in Travis County that runs south from State Highway 130 to East Pecan Street is designated as Deputy Jessica Hollis Memorial Highway.
(b) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), subject to Section 225.021(c) (relating to the disposition of funds for memorial highway markers), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Deputy Jessica Hollis Memorial Highway and any other appropriate information; and 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.