BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 532

By: Shine

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been calls from Bell County to recognize the life and service of Deputy Sheriff John Rhoden, who was recently struck and killed by a vehicle while attempting to deploy spike strips during the pursuit of a stolen car. H.B. 532 seeks to provide this recognition by designating a portion of State Highway Loop 121 in Bell County as the Deputy Sheriff John Rhoden 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. 532 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of State Highway Loop 121 in Bell County between its intersection with Interstate Highway 35 and its intersection with Interstate Highway 14 as the Deputy Sheriff John Rhoden Memorial Highway, in addition to any other designation. 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 Deputy Sheriff John Rhoden 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

September 1, 2021.