BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 1871

By: Vasut

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Army Specialist 5 Clarence E. Sasser of Sandy Point, Texas, received the Medal of Honor on March 7, 1969, for his gallantry during a reconnaissance operation in Vietnam on January 10, 1968. His citation reads, "Despite two additional wounds immobilizing his legs, he dragged himself through the mud toward another soldier 100 meters away. Although in agonizing pain and faint from loss of blood, Sasser reached the man, treated him, and proceeded on to encourage another group of soldiers to crawl 200 meters to relative safety." Clarence E. Sasser is recognized on the Medal of Honor wall in the Texas Capitol and his portrait currently hangs on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives. H.B. 1871 seeks to further recognize and honor Clarence E. Sasser's service to the United States and Texas by designating a portion of Farm-to-Market Road 521 in Brazoria County where Mr. Sasser lives as the Clarence "BB" Sasser Medal of Honor 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. 1871 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of FM 521 in Brazoria County as the Clarence "BB" Sasser Medal of Honor Highway. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation, subject to a grant or donation of funds, to do the following:

·         design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Clarence "BB" Sasser Medal of Honor Highway and any other appropriate information; and

·         erect a marker at appropriate sites along the highway.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2023.