BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2523
	By: Lopez, Janie et al. (Hinojosa, Adam)
	Transportation
	5/5/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The people of Cameron County suffered a great tragedy when Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia of the Cameron County Constable's Office lost his life in the line of duty. On September 30, 2024, while responding to a crash on State Highway 48, Deputy Garcia's patrol car was rear-ended by an intoxicated driver, resulting in fatal injuries. H.B. 2523 seeks to honor his memory by officially designating a section of State Highway 48 as the Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia Memorial Highway. This designation will serve as a lasting tribute to his dedication and sacrifice, remind the public of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers, and ensure that Deputy Garcia's service is permanently recognized by the community he served.

H.B. 2523 amends current law relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 48 in Cameron County as the Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia 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, as follows:

Sec. 225.252. DEPUTY CONSTABLE RUBEN GARCIA MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of State Highway 48 in Cameron County between its intersection with State Highway 550 and its intersection with Fishermans Place Road is designated as the Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), 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 Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia 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 intent 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.