BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 1831

By: Menéndez

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Specialist Dane R. Balcon died in Iraq of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during his service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. From an early age, Balcon dreamed of the opportunity to serve his country, beginning with his participation in the Army ROTC program at Sand Creek High School, where he is remembered as an outstanding person and someone who had an absolute love for the military and his country. C.S.S.B. 1831 seeks to provide an honorable tribute to thank him and his family for his service through the designation of a portion of State Highway 151 as the Specialist Dane Balcon Memorial Bridge.

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.S.B. 1831 amends the Transportation Code to designate the State Highway 151 bridge at Westover Hills in Bexar County as the Specialist Dane Balcon Memorial Bridge. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation, subject to a grant or donation of funds, to design and construct markers indicating the designation 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 SENATE ENGROSSED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.S.B. 1831 may differ from the engrossed in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the engrossed and committee substitute versions of the bill.

SENATE ENGROSSED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 225.105 to read as follows: Sec. 225.105.  SPECIALIST DANE BALCON MEMORIAL BRIDGE.  (a)  The State Highway 151 bridge at Westover Hills in Bexar County is designated as the Specialist Dane Balcon Memorial Bridge. (b)  Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall: (1)  design and construct markers indicating the highway number, the designation as the Specialist Dane Balcon Memorial Bridge, 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 225.105 to read as follows: Sec. 225.105.  SPECIALIST DANE BALCON MEMORIAL BRIDGE.  (a) The State Highway 151 bridge at Westover Hills in Bexar County is designated as the Specialist Dane Balcon Memorial Bridge. (b)  Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall: (1)  design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Specialist Dane Balcon Memorial Bridge 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 engrossed version.