BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1704
	By: Blanco
	Transportation
	6/2/2021
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 1704 dedicates a portion of the patriot freeway in northeast El Paso to the "Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway."

Signs erected to designate memorial highways must be funded by grants or donations. According to the Texas Transportation Code, Section 225.021(c), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) may not design, construct, or erect a marker under this subchapter unless a grant or donation of funds is made to TxDOT to cover the cost of the design, construction, and erection of the marker. While TxDOT is not responsible for the original cost of the design, construction, and erection of the signs, it is responsible for their repair, maintenance, and replacement.

S.B. 1704 amends current law relating to the designation of the portion of United States Highway 54 in El Paso County as the Korean War Veterans 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 225.190, as follows:

Sec. 225.190. KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of United States Highway 54 in El Paso County between its intersection with State Highway Loop 375 and the New Mexico state border is designated as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Provides that this designation is in addition to any other designation.

(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 design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Korean War Veterans 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.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2021.