BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3642
	By: Hefner (Hughes)
	Transportation
	5/20/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Petty Officer Billy Wayne Machen, who was killed in the line of duty on August 19, 1966, was the first U.S. Navy SEAL to be killed in combat in the Vietnam War and that as a point man for his team, Machen led his fellow SEALs through the jungle, sensing something was wrong and sacrificing his own life by taking on an enemy ambush alone to save his troops waiting behind.

Furthermore, in the summer of 2024, nine-year-old Molly Mullens was killed in a head-on collision when driving home from Colorado with her family. After learning from local law enforcement that the stretch of highway is a known accident "hot spot," the Mullens family worked to improve safety by replacing the cable barriers with concrete barriers, hoping to prevent future accidents.

Finally, on September 17, 2024, Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Alexis Ramirez Vasquez was struck by a vehicle while investigating a traffic crash along State Highway 302. Tragically, Trooper Ramirez Vasquez succumbed to his injuries on September 28, becoming the 241st Department of Public Safety officer to die in the line of duty since 1823.

H.B. 3642 seeks to honor the lives and legacies of these individuals by designating certain portions of the state highway system as memorial highways and bridges in their honor. The Farm-to-Market Road 852 bridge crossing Lake Gilmer in Upshur County would be designated as the Petty Officer Billy Machen Memorial Bridge. The portion of U.S. Highway 287 in Wilbarger County between its intersection with County Road 111 and County Road 132 East would be designated as the Molly Mullens Mile. Finally, the portion of State Highway 302 in Ector County between its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 2019 and the Ector-Winkler County line would be designated as the Trooper Kevin Ramirez Vasquez Memorial Highway.

H.B. 3642 amends current law relating to the designation of portions of the state highway system as memorial highways and bridges, to certain memorial markers and designations on certain highways, and to highway signs for certain cultural attractions.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Transportation Commission in SECTION 2 (Section 201.911, Transportation Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 201.909(e), (f), and (g), Transportation Code, as follows:

(e) Authorizes a memorial sign to publicly memorialize the victims of alcohol or controlled substance-related vehicle collisions posted under Section 201.909 (Memorial Sign Program) to remain posted for 10, rather than two, years. Authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), at the end of the 10-year period, to release the sign to the applicant. Makes a conforming change.

(f)-(g) Makes conforming changes to these subsections.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 201.911, Transportation Code, by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection (c-1), as follows:

(a) Redefines "victim."

(c) Requires that a sign designed and posted under Section 201.911 (Memorial Sign Program for Motorcyclists) include certain elements, including a motorcyclist safety message selected from the options provided by the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) rule under Subsection (c-1), rather than a red cross.

(c-1) Requires TTC by rule to develop motorcyclist safety messages that are authorized to be used on the memorial signs under this section.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 225.021, Transportation Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e), as follows:

(a) Requires TxDOT, subject to Subsection (e), to repair and replace each marker required by Subchapter B (Specific State Highway Names) and maintain the grounds for the marker. Makes a nonsubstantive change.

(e) Prohibits TxDOT from repairing or replacing a marker after the 10th anniversary of the effective date of the provision requiring the marker to be erected unless a grant or donation of funds is made to TxDOT to cover the cost of the repair or replacement of the marker. Provides that this subsection applies only to a provision of this subchapter enacted after January 1, 2025, that requires the erection of a marker.

SECTION 4. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Sections 225.243, 225.244, 225.245, 225.246, 225.247, 225.248, 225.249, 225.250, 225.251, 225.252, 225.253, 225.254, 225.255, 225.256, 225.257, 225.258, 225.259, and 225.260, as follows:

Sec. 225.243. PETTY OFFICER BILLY MACHEN MEMORIAL BRIDGE. (a) Provides that the Farm-to-Market Road 852 bridge crossing Lake Gilmer in Upshur County is designated as the Petty Officer Billy Machen Memorial Bridge. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to 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 Petty Officer Billy Machen Memorial Bridge and any other appropriate information and erect a marker at each end of the bridge.

Sec. 225.244. MOLLY MULLENS MILE. (a) Provides that the portion of U.S. Highway 287 in Wilbarger County between its intersection with County Road 111 and County Road 132 East is designated as the Molly Mullens Mile. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Molly Mullens Mile and any other appropriate information and erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.

Sec. 225.245. TROOPER KEVIN RAMIREZ VASQUEZ MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of State Highway 302 in Ector County between its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 2019 and the Ector-Winkler County line is designated as the Trooper Kevin Ramirez Vasquez Memorial Highway.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Trooper Kevin Ramirez Vasquez 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.

Sec. 225.246. LIEUTENANT MILTON RESENDEZ MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) provides that the portion of State Highway 345 in the municipal limits of San Benito is designated as the Lieutenant Milton Resendez Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Lieutenant Milton Resendez 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.

Sec. 225.247. DEPUTY SHERIFF CHRIS DICKERSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that Farm-to-Market Road 10 in Panola County is designated as the Deputy Sheriff Chris Dickerson Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Deputy Sheriff Chris Dickerson 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.

Sec. 225.248. DEPUTY SHERIFF DAVID BOSECKER MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of U.S. Highway 183 in Eastland County between its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 2526 and its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 2731 is designated as the Deputy Sheriff David Bosecker Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Deputy Sheriff David Bosecker 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.

Sec. 225.249. SERGEANT MARK BUTLER MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of State Highway 6 in Brazos County between the southern municipal limits of College Station and the northern municipal limits of Navasota is designated as the Sergeant Mark Butler Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Sergeant Mark Butler 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.

Sec. 225.250. CORPORAL SPEEDY ESPERICUETA MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of U.S. Highway 83 in the municipal limits of Mission is designated as the Corporal Speedy Espericueta Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Corporal Speedy Espericueta 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.

Sec. 225.251. CAPTAIN KEVIN WILLIAMS AND FIREFIGHTER AUSTIN CHEEK MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 2493 in Smith County between its intersection with Church Street in Flint and its intersection with County Road 150 is designated as the Captain Kevin Williams and Firefighter Austin Cheek Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Captain Kevin Williams and Firefighter Austin Cheek 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.

Sec. 225.252. FIRE MARSHAL JIMMY W. SEATON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of State Highway 64 in Smith County between its intersection with State Highway Loop 323 and its intersection with the western Smith County line is designated as the Fire Marshal Jimmy W. Seaton Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Fire Marshal Jimmy W. Seaton 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.

Sec. 225.253. CECIL AND DOROTHY BELL MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of U.S. Highway 79 in Freestone and Leon Counties between its intersection with U.S. Highway 84 and its intersection with the western municipal limits of Oakwood is designated as the Cecil and Dorothy Bell Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Cecil and Dorothy Bell 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.

Sec. 225.254. FIRST RESPONDERS MEMORIAL LOOP. (a) Provides that the portion of State Highway Loop 88 under construction as of September 1, 2025, as a relief route around Lubbock, in Lubbock County is designated as the First Responders Memorial Loop. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the First Responders Memorial Loop and any other appropriate information and erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.

Sec. 225.255. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of U.S. Highway 67 in Dallas and Ellis Counties between its intersection with U.S. Highway 287 and its intersection with Interstate Highway 20 is designated as the Eddie Bernice Johnson Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Eddie Bernice Johnson 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.

Sec. 225.256. U.S. BORDER PATROL AGENT JOSE RODRIGUEZ-LUA MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of U.S. Highway 281 in Hidalgo County between its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 493 and its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 88 is designated as the U.S. Border Patrol Agent Jose Rodriguez-Lua Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the U.S. Border Patrol Agent Jose Rodriguez-Lua 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.

Sec. 225.257. HAMBY-WEBB MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of State Highway 315 in Panola County between its intersection with the western Panola County line and its intersection with the western municipal boundary of Carthage is designated as the Hamby-Webb Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Hamby-Webb 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.

Sec. 225.258. MUCKLEROY FAMILY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of U.S. Highway 281 in Blanco and Burnet Counties between its intersection with State Highway 71 and Ranch Road 962 is designated as the Muckleroy Family Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Muckleroy Family 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.

Sec. 225.259. BOB CORNETT PARKWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of U.S. Highway 377 under construction as of September 1, 2024, as a relief route around Cresson, in Hood and Johnson Counties is designated as the Bob Cornett Parkway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Bob Cornett Parkway and any other appropriate information and erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.

Sec. 225.260. BILL STOUDT PARKWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 2275 in Gregg County between its intersection with U.S. Highway 259 and its intersection with Spur 502/Judson Road is designated as the Bill Stoudt Parkway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Section 225.021(c), to design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Bill Stoudt Parkway and any other appropriate information and erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway

SECTION 5. (a) Requires TTC, not later than December 1, 2025, to adopt the rules required by Section 201.911(c-1), Transportation Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Provides that, notwithstanding Section 201.911, Transportation Code, as amended by this Act, TxDOT is not required to comply with the changes in law made by this Act to Sections 201.909, 201.911, and 225.021, Transportation Code, before March 1, 2026.

SECTION 6. (a) Requires TxDOT, subject to Subsection (c) of this section and not later than September 1, 2026, to erect and maintain highway signs guiding road users to the Koreatown District in the Northwest Dallas neighborhood of Dallas from certain routes, including the exits for Royal Lane from northbound and southbound Interstate Highway 35E and the exits for Luna Road from eastbound and westbound Interstate Highway 635.

(b) Requires TxDOT, subject to Subsection (c) of this section and not later than September 1, 2026, to erect and maintain highway signs guiding road users to the Chinatown District in Richardson from certain routes, including the exits for Arapaho Road from northbound and southbound U.S. Highway 75 and the exits for Belt Line Road and Main Street from northbound and southbound U.S. Highway 75.

(c) Prohibits a sign erected under this section from violating the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices or the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices issued by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.

SECTION 7. 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 8. Effective date: September 1, 2025.