BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2515

By: Hughes

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill sponsor has informed the committee of Jimmy Seaton, who served as the Smith County fire marshal for 15 years until his death in 2014 and who had also previously served as assistant fire marshal, as chief of the Dixie Volunteer Fire Department, and as a Marine during the Vietnam War. The bill sponsor has also informed the committee that Fire Marshal Seaton's widow, Nancy, has requested the designation of a memorial highway that will stretch along the route that he took to work every day while serving as fire marshal to honor his steadfast service to Smith County. S.B. 2515 seeks to honor Mr. Seaton's life and legacy by making this designation.

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. 2515 amends the Transportation Code to designate 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 as the Fire Marshal Jimmy W. Seaton 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 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.

The bill 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.