BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3283
85R9061 JXC-D	By: Guillen (Zaffirini)
	Transportation
	5/10/2017
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

H.B. 3283 would designate a portion of State Highway 16 north of Freer, Texas, in Duval County as the Al Dean Memorial Highway, honoring Dean's contributions to his local community as well as to the state and its musical culture.

 

Dean�s career began in 1952, when he formed his first band, "The Texas Teenagers," in Freer, Texas. Dean began recording in the late 1950s, including some rockabilly singles.

 

In 1967 he recorded an old fiddle tune, entitled "Cotton Eyed Joe" for KIKR Records. The song dated back many generations and had been recorded in 1941 by both Adolph Hofner and Bob Wills. The song would become a standard in bars, clubs, and dance halls all over the country and would make Al Dean and the Allstars a much sought after commodity on the music circuit.

 

In 1987 Dean received an award from the American Music Association of Texas for having the most programmed record in the history of the jukebox. During his career, Dean recorded for Stop, Manco, Paid, KIKR, and most recently Heart of Texas Records. Dean's last album was "Al Dean Still Kikn': King of The Cotton Eyed Joe." He continued to perform and record and was frequently joined on stage by his son, Galen. "Mr. Cotton Eyed Joe" Al Dean passed away in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 85.

 

H.B. 3283 amends current law relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 16 in Duval County as the Al Dean 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. AL DEAN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of State Highway 16 in Duval County between certain boundaries is designated as the Al Dean Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

 

(b) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), subject to Section 225.021(c) (relating to prohibiting TxDOT from designing, constructing, or erecting a marker without certain grants or donations), to:

 

(1) design and construct markers indicating the highway number, the designation as the Al Dean 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. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.