BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1931

By: Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy"

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill sponsor has informed the committee of Rodolfo Valdez, a soldier from La Joya, Texas, who served in the Vietnam War and unfortunately lost his life in combat and that, to honor his service, a portion of U.S. Highway 83 in Hidalgo County is proposed to be renamed in his honor. The bill sponsor has also informed the committee that the portion of the designation highway runs near Valdez's hometown of La Joya, Texas, where he lived and graduated. S.B. 1931 seeks to honor Rodolfo Valdez and his service in the Vietnam War by designating a portion of U.S. Highway 83 as the SP4 Rodolfo Valdez 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. 1931 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of Business U.S. Highway 83-S in Hidalgo County between its western and eastern intersections with the U.S. Highway 83 relief route around La Joya as the SP4 Rodolfo Valdez Memorial Highway. The designation is 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 SP4 Rodolfo Valdez 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.

The bill establishes that it is the intention of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, that the provisions added by the bill be renumbered to prevent multiple provisions with the same designation.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.