BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 682

By: Hughes

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Captain Kevin Williams and Firefighter Austin Cheek of the Noonday Volunteer Fire Department died in service to others in a house fire on August 3, 2007, becoming the first Smith County volunteer firefighters to die while on duty. The Smith County Commissioners Court passed a resolution supporting the renaming of the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 2493 where the tragedy occurred to recognize the service of these men. S.B. 682 seeks to fulfill this request and memorialize these lost first responders by creating the Captain Kevin Williams and Firefighter Austin Cheek 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. 682 amends the Transportation Code to designate 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 as the Captain Kevin Williams and Firefighter Austin Cheek 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 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.