BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 409

By: Springer

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties seek to honor Luther G. Prunty for his service in the U.S. Army in World War II, during which he was a prisoner of war in the Burmese Jungle and forced to help build a bridge in events that inspired the film “Bridge On the River Kwai." H.B. 409 seeks to recognize Mr. Prunty's service by designating a portion of Farm-to-Market Road 1810 as the Luther G. Prunty Memorial Highway.

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

H.B. 409 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 1810 in Jack County beginning at its intersection with State Highway 59 to the eastern boundary of Jack County as the Luther G. Prunty 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 Luther G. Prunty 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.