BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3301

By: Landgraf

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Earlier this year, nine-year-old Hazel and her mother Margie were tragically killed in a car accident on Highway 302 in Kermit, Texas. A commercial vehicle failed to maintain its speed and control before running into the back of the Thompson family's car. Trucking-related accidents and fatalities are very prevalent in West Texas, and these accidents are occurring more frequently. H.B. 3301 seeks to memorialize Hazel and Margie Thompson's lives and serve as a reminder for truckers to drive safely by designating a memorial highway in their honor.

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. 3301 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of State Highway 302 in Winkler County between its intersection with State Highway 115 and its intersection with County Road 202 as the Hazel and Margie Thompson 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 Hazel and Margie Thompson 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.