BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1744

By: Hughes

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 2.7 million members of the U.S. Military Forces served in the Vietnam War and, of these service members, more than 300,000 were wounded and more than 58,000 lost their lives. The bill sponsor has informed the committee that constituents from the Camp County area have requested that the legislature memorialize and honor the service and sacrifices made by our Vietnam veterans. As a result, S.B. 1744 seeks to designate State Loop 255 in Camp County between its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 1520 and U.S. Highway 271 as the Camp County Vietnam 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. 1744 amends the Transportation Code to designate State Loop 255 in Camp County between its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 1520 and U.S. Highway 271 as the Camp County Vietnam 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 do the following:

· design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Camp County Vietnam Veterans 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.

S.B. 1744 establishes the legislature's intent that the bill's provisions be renumbered to prevent multiple provisions with the same designation.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.