BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2026
	By: Frank (Hagenbuch)
	Transportation
	5/14/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

This bill seeks to honor two outstanding servicemembers from my district in Archer County that deserve to be memorialized for their dedication and service.

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Gary C. Johnston was born in Archer County April 13, 1948. Staff Sergeant Johnston served as a infantry indirect fire crewman. He was deployed to Vietnam where he was killed in action on April 16, 1970.

U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Gary S. Johnston was born in Archer County May 24, 1985, and was the nephew of Gary C. Johnston. Sergeant Johnston joined the corps after graduating high school and served as a radio operator. Among the distinctions he achieved were the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and a National Defense Service Medal. He was deployed to Iraq where he was killed in action on January 23, 2007.

Again, this bill is to memorialize two brave soldiers who gave their lives defending our nation.

H.B. 2026 amends current law relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 25 in Archer County as the U.S. Army Gary C. and U.S.M.C. Gary S. Johnston 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 225.256, as follows:

Sec. 225.256.� U.S. ARMY GARY C. AND U.S.M.C. GARY S. JOHNSTON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY.� (a) Provides that the portion of State Highway 25 in Archer County between the eastern municipal limits of Archer City and the western municipal limits of Windthorst is designated as the U.S. Army Gary C. and U.S.M.C. Gary S. Johnston Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b)� Requires the Texas Department of Transportation, 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 U.S. Army Gary C. and U.S.M.C. Gary S. Johnston� 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.

SECTION 2. Provides that it is the intention of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, that the provisions added by this Act be renumbered to prevent multiple provisions with the same designation.

SECTION 3.� Effective date: September 1, 2025.