BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 277

By: Gonzales, Larry

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Interested parties note the tragic death of Sgt. Chris Kelley in the line of duty during a routine traffic stop. C.S.H.B. 277 seeks to honor Sgt. Kelley's service 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

 

C.S.H.B. 277 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of U.S. Highway 79 in Hutto as the Sgt. Chris Kelley 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. Chris Kelley 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, 2017.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 277 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 225.123 to read as follows:

Sec. 225.123.  OFFICER CHRIS KELLEY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY.  (a)  The portion of U.S. Highway 79 in Hutto is designated as the Officer Chris Kelley Memorial Highway.

(b)  Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall:

(1)  design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Officer Chris Kelley 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 225.123 to read as follows:

Sec. 225.123.  SGT. CHRIS KELLEY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY.  (a)  The portion of U.S. Highway 79 in Hutto is designated as the Sgt. Chris Kelley Memorial Highway.

 

(b)  Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall:

(1)  design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Sgt. Chris Kelley 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, 2017.

SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.