BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 1779

86R4409 MP-D

By: Clardy (Nichols)

 

Transportation

 

5/5/2019

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Sergeant Tom Sitton was born in Nacogdoches, Texas, and graduated from Texas High School in Texarkana. After graduating from high school Sergeant Sitton followed his lifelong dream of becoming a peace officer and attended the Kilgore Police Academy.

 

He gradated from the police academy in 1987. After graduation Sitton began his career with the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office as a reserve deputy.

 

Sitton quickly rose through the ranks from reserve deputy to patrol deputy, then he became a sergeant. During this time he also served as a federal transportation deputy.

 

On May 24, 1996, while responding to a terroristic threat call, Sergeant Sitton and a deputy constable were fired upon by the suspect; Sergeant Sitton was fatally wounded.

 

H.B. 1779 amends current law relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 21 in Nacogdoches County as the Sergeant Tom Sitton 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 225.152, as follows:

 

Sec. 225.152.  SERGEANT TOM SITTON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of State Highway 21 in Nacogdoches County between County Road 713 and County Road 782 is designated as the Sergeant Tom Sitton Memorial Highway.

 

(b) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), subject to Section 225.152(c) (relating to prohibiting TxDOT from designing, constructing, or erecting a marker unless a grant or donation of funds is made to cover the cost), to:

 

(1) design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Sergeant Tom Sitton 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: September 1, 2019.