BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3512
87R20757 MP-D	By: Canales et al. (Schwertner)
	Transportation
	5/13/2021
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

There have been calls from across the state to honor the selfless service of peace officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their communities. H.B. 3512 seeks to recognize these 12 brave individuals by requiring the Texas Department of Transportation to designate specific portions of roads in the state to these fallen officers, displaying each officer's name along certain highways in their honor.

 

H.B. 3512 amends current law relating to highway memorial signs for certain deceased peace officers.

 

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 Subtitle B, Title 6, Transportation Code, by adding Chapter 227, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 227. STATE TROOPER HIGHWAY MEMORIAL SIGNS

 

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Sec. 227.001. GENERAL PROVISIONS. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to design, construct, repair, and replace each memorial sign required by this chapter and maintain the grounds for the memorial sign.

 

(b) Requires TxDOT to accept a grant or donation made to assist in financing the construction and maintenance of a memorial sign.

 

(c) Prohibits TxDOT from designing, constructing, or erecting a memorial sign under this chapter unless a grant or donation of funds is made to TxDOT to cover the cost of the design, construction, and erection of the memorial sign.

 

(d) Requires that money received under Subsection (b) be deposited to the credit of the state highway fund.

 

Sec. 227.002. NUMBER OF SIGNS. Authorizes TxDOT, for each memorial sign required under this chapter, to place one or more signs in the location provided for that sign.

 

Sec. 227.003. DEPARTMENT CHANGES TO SIGNS. Authorizes TxDOT in coordination with the Department of Public Safety to make nonsubstantive changes regarding the appropriate name and appearance of a memorial sign under this chapter.

 

SUBCHAPTER B. MEMORIAL SIGNS

 

Sec. 227.051. TROOPER MOISES SANCHEZ. Requires TxDOT, on or near the portion of Interstate Highway 69C in Hidalgo County between its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 1925 and its intersection with Trenton Road, to place a memorial sign in honor of Trooper Moises Sanchez.

 

Sec. 227.052. TROOPER TROY HOGUE. Requires TxDOT, on or near the portion of Interstate Highway 20 in Howard County between mile marker 173 and mile marker 190, to place a memorial sign in honor of Trooper Troy Hogue.

 

Sec. 227.053. CORPORAL WILLIE DALE TAYLOR. Requires TxDOT, on or near the portion of Interstate Highway 10 in Crockett County between mile marker 363 and mile marker 368, to place a memorial sign in honor of Corporal Willie Dale Taylor.

 

Sec. 227.054. TROOPER JAVIER ARANA JR. Requires TxDOT, on or near the portion of State Highway Loop 375 in El Paso County between mile marker 41 and mile marker 44, to place a memorial sign in honor of Trooper Javier Arana Jr.

 

Sec. 227.055. SERGEANT WILLIAM J. KUHNLE JR. AND TROOPER RALPH G. ZERDA. Requires TxDOT, on or near the portion of United States Highway 90 in Bexar County between its intersection with State Highway 211 and its intersection with Montgomery Road, to place a memorial sign in honor of Sergeant William J. Kuhnle Jr. and Trooper Ralph G. Zerda.

 

Sec. 227.056. TROOPER RICHARD DALE COTTLE. Requires TxDOT, on or near the portion of Interstate Highway 35 in McLennan County between mile marker 341 and mile marker 351, to place a memorial sign in honor of Trooper Richard Dale Cottle.

 

Sec. 227.057. TROOPER TIMOTHY WADE MCDERMOTT. Requires TxDOT, on or near the portion of United States Highway 80 in Gregg and Harrison Counties between its intersection with United States Highway 259 and its intersection with State Loop 281, to place a memorial sign in honor of Trooper Timothy Wade McDermott.

 

Sec. 227.058. TROOPER MARK JEFFREY PHEBUS. Requires TxDOT, on or near the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 1774 in Montgomery County between its intersection with Misty Meadow Drive and its intersection with Hunters Road, to place a memorial sign in honor of Trooper Mark Jeffrey Phebus.

 

Sec. 227.059. TROOPER DAVID IRVINE RUCKER. Requires TxDOT, on or near the portion of State Highway 100 in Cameron County between its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 523 and its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 3069, to place a memorial sign in honor of Trooper David Irvine Rucker.

 

Sec. 227.060. TROOPER CHAD M. WALKER. Requires TxDOT, at or near the intersection of State Highway 164 and Farm-to-Market Road 1953 in Limestone County, to place a memorial sign in honor of Trooper Chad M. Walker.

 

Sec. 227.061. TROOPER DANIEL HIGDON. Requires TxDOT, at or near mile marker 571 of Interstate Highway 20 in Smith County, to place a memorial sign in honor of Trooper Daniel Higdon.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2021.