BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1229

By: Hughes

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to a 2016 study by the Center for Social Inquiry at Texas State University, East Texas is home to the second-highest concentration of veterans per capita in the state, and in February 2025, the Tyler Metropolitan Statistical Area received designation as a Veteran-Friendly Community by the East Texas Council of Governments. The bill sponsor has informed the committee that the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Committee is seeking a local highway designation for a Veterans Memorial Highway to support the recognition of the community's commitment to veterans. S.B. 1229 seeks to honor veterans and demonstrate the community's commitment to veterans by designating a portion of U.S. Highway 69 in Smith County as the Veterans 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. 1229 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of U.S. Highway 69 in Smith County between its intersection with South State Loop 323 and its intersection with the northern municipal limits of Bullard as the Veterans 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 design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Veterans Memorial Highway and any other appropriate information and to erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway. The bill establishes the legislature's intention that the bill's provisions be renumbered to prevent multiple provisions with the same designation.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.