BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1704

By: Blanco

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Korean War has been referred as the "Forgotten War." The Americans who served in the Korean War deserve to be honored. S.B. 1704 dedicates a portion of U.S. Highway 54 in northeast El Paso as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway to ensure that the memory of the veterans who served and sacrificed their lives in the Korean War will not be forgotten.

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

S.B. 1704 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of U.S. Highway 54 in El Paso County between its intersection with State Highway Loop 375 and the New Mexico state border as the Korean War Veterans 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 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.