BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 489

By: Seliger

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The recent passing of William Crooker has sparked calls for recognition of his honorable military service in World War II and his lengthy public service as Howard County commissioner. Interested parties believe that his generosity and exceptional leadership displayed as county commissioner deserve an appropriate acknowledgement. S.B. 489 seeks to honor William Crooker's accomplishments with a memorial highway designation.

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

S.B. 489 amends the Transportation Code to designate 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 as the William B. Crooker Memorial Highway, in addition to any other designation. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), subject to receipt of a grant or donation of funds, to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the William B. Crooker 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. The bill requires TxDOT to comply with the bill's provisions after the construction of the portion of U.S. Highway 87 designated as the William B. Crooker Memorial Highway by the bill is complete.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.