BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1221
85R7917 AJZ-D	By: Stephenson (Kolkhorst)
	Transportation
	5/5/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Johnnie Hutchins was born in Weimar, Texas, in 1922. When World War II broke out, Hutchins enlisted in the Navy. He proved to be a remarkable seamen throughout his service. As a testament to his skill, he advanced to Seaman 1st Class in just six months.

Hutchins was assigned to LST 473, as the coxswain, the man in charge of the landing ship. On September 4, 1943, the ship neared an enemy-occupied beach on New Guinea under a rain of fire from Japanese shore batteries and aerial bombardment. The ship was struck by a torpedo that killed the helmsman and fatally wounded Hutchins. Despite his fatal wounds, he managed to grab hold of the helm and steer the ship away from incoming torpedoes. Johnnie Hutchins died holding onto the helm, saving his ship and its crew.

H.B. 1221 amends the Transportation Code by adding Section 225.123 to designate a portion of U.S. Highway 90 Alternate in Wharton County as the Johnnie David Hutchins Memorial Highway. This memorial will echo the bravery that Johnnie Hutchins showed for his country and serve as a reminder of his valiant actions.

H.B. 1221 amends current law relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 90 Alternate as the Johnnie David Hutchins Memorial Highway.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.123, as follows:

Sec. 225.123. JOHNNIE DAVID HUTCHINS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of U.S. Highway 90 Alternative in Wharton County is designated as the Johnnie David Hutchins Memorial Highway.

(b) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation, subject to Section 225.021(c) (relating to the designation of a certain highway system by the name of a certain person), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Johnnie David Hutchins Memorial Highway and any other appropriate information and erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017. �