BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2143

By: Metcalf

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In February 2022, Army Specialist Joey Lenz tragically passed away while serving at Fort Hood. H.B. 2143 seeks to recognize and honor Mr. Lenz by designating a portion of Farm-to-Market Road 1097 in Montgomery County as the Army Specialist Joey Lenz 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. 2143 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 1097 in Montgomery County between its intersection with Interstate Highway 45 and its intersection with Lake Conroe Hills Drive as the Army Specialist Joey Lenz 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 Army Specialist Joey Lenz 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.

The bill establishes the legislature's intent that the provisions added by the bill be renumbered to prevent multiple provisions with the same designation.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.