BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1913

By: Spiller

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Sergeant Barbara Fenley died in the line of duty while trying to evacuate residents during the rapidly moving Eastland Complex Fires in March of 2022. The Eastland Complex Fires had already burned over 45,000 acres at the time of Sergeant Fenley's death. Sergeant Fenley had served with the Eastland County Sheriff's Office for nine years and had previously served with the Gorman Police Department for 10 years, including six years as the police chief. There have been calls to recognize Sergeant Barbara Fenley and her extreme bravery. H.B. 1913 seeks to honor her life and sacrifice by designating a portion of FM 2526 in Eastland County as the Sergeant Barbara Fenley Memorial 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. 1913 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of FM 2526 in Eastland County between its intersections with State Highway 6 and FM 2689 as the Sergeant Barbara Fenley 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 do the following:

· design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Sergeant Barbara Fenley Memorial Highway and any other appropriate information; and

· erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.