AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
William "Bill" Crooker served as a bombardier with the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. On December 6, 1944, his plane took on heavy fire and was seized in northern Germany. He and his fellow airmen endured severe hardships until they were liberated on May 1, 1945. Upon returning to Big Spring, he was elected to serve as Howard County commissioner for four decades. During his time in office, he gave generously of his time and numerous other talents, proving himself as an exceptional civic leader and public servant. This bill seeks to honor Bill Crooker by designating a portion of Highway 87 as William B. Crooker Memorial Highway. Mr. Crooker passed away on February 9, 2015. He was 91.
S.B 489 amends the Transportation Code to designate a portion of Highway 87 in Howard County as the William B. Crooker Memorial Highway. The bill will also designate the specific stretch of Highway 87 from RM 33 to the north frontage road of IH20.
S.B. 489 designates a portion of U.S. Highway 87 in Howard County as the William B. Crooker Memorial Highway.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.102, as follows:
Sec. 225.102. WILLIAM B. CROOKER MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that, notwithstanding Section 225.001(c) (relating to the naming a part of the Texas highway system), the portion of U.S. Highway 87 under construction as of September 1, 2015, as a relief route around Big Spring, between Interstate Highway 20 and Ranch Road 33, in Howard County is designated as the William B. Crooker Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.
(b) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), subject to Section 225.021(c) (relating to prohibiting TxDOT from designing, constructing, or erecting a market without a grant or donation to cover the costs), to:
(1) design and construct markers indicating the designation as the William B. Crooker 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. Requires TxDOT to comply with Section 225.102, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, after the construction of the portion of the U.S. Highway 87 designated as the William B. Crooker Memorial Highway by this Act is complete.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2015.