BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2577
86R10372 JRR-D	By: Burrows (Seliger)
	Transportation
	5/8/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Sergeant Bob Ford, of Seminole, Texas, was the last known Permian Basin resident to lose his life in the Vietnam War.

Upon graduating from Seminole High School, Mr. Ford immediately enlisted in the Air Force. Soon thereafter, he found himself stationed in Thailand in the 56th Security Police Squadron. With the war coming to an end, military equipment started to be withdrawn to Thailand.

During this time, an American marine vessel was seized in the Gulf of Siam, and the crew was taken for ransom. Sergeant Ford's squad was sent to aid in the rescue of the prisoners and to return the ship and goods. On May 13, 1975, the squadron's helicopter crashed, killing all aboard.

To honor Sergeant Ford, a section of U.S. Highway 180 will be dedicated to show proper respect to a Texas hero in his hometown of Seminole.

H.B. 2577 amends current law relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 180 in Gaines County as the Bob Ford 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. BOB FORD MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of U.S. Highway 180 in Gaines County between its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 1757 and the eastern municipal boundary of Seminole is designated as the Bob Ford Memorial Highway.

(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 unless a grant or donation of funds is made to cover the cost), to:

(1) design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Bob Ford 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, 2019.