BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2150

By: Nichols

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Lt. General Orren Ray "Cotton" Whiddon was a Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Hall of Fame inductee. Lt. General Whiddon served as commanding general for the 8th Infantry division from 1985 to 1987 and as commanding general of the Second United States Army from 1987 to 1990. Lt. General Whiddon served two terms in Vietnam and many other assignments both domestic and abroad. He passed away March 20, 2016 and is buried next to his mother in the Joaquin Cemetery, Joaquin, TX. S.B. 2150 seeks to recognize and honor the life and service of Lt. General Whiddon by designating a portion of U.S. Highway 84 in the municipal limits of Joaquin, Texas, as the Lt. General O.R. "Cotton" Whiddon 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

S.B. 2150 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of U.S. Highway 84 in the municipal limits of Joaquin, Texas, as the Lt. General O.R. "Cotton" Whiddon Memorial 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 Lt. General O.R. "Cotton" Whiddon 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.