This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
STORAGE NAME: h0147.TIE
DATE: 11/24/2021
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 147 Transportation Facility Designations
SPONSOR(S): Tuck
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS:
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee Walsh Keating
2) Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations
Subcommittee
3) Commerce Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Under current law, the Legislature may designate a transportation facility, such as a bridge, interchange, or
portion of a road, for honorary or memorial purposes or to distinguish a particular facility. Legislative
designations do not change the official names of the facilities. The Department of Transportation (DOT) erects
markers for each designation, but may not do so until the appropriate city or county commission passes a
resolution in support of the designation.
The bill honors a fallen law enforcement officer by designating the “Deputy William J. Gentry Jr., Highway.”
Under the bill, DOT must erect suitable markers for the road designation.
The bill will have an insignificant negative fiscal impact to the State Transportation Trust Fund associated with
erecting suitable markers for the road designation. The cost can be absorbed within DOT’s existing resources.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2022. STORAGE NAME: h0147.TIE PAGE: 2
DATE: 11/24/2021
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Present Situation
Transportation Facility Designations
Under current law, the Legislature may designate a transportation facility, such as a bridge,
interchange, or portion of a road, for honorary or memorial purposes or to distinguish a particular
facility. Legislative designations do not change the official names of the designated facilities, and do not
require local governments or private entities to change street signs, mailing addresses, or 911
emergency telephone-number system listings to account for the designations.
1
Current law sets standards for the naming of state buildings and other facilities. The law provides that
except as specifically provided by law, state buildings, roads, bridges, parks, recreational complexes,
and other similar facilities may not be named for a living person.
2
Road Markers
The Department of Transportation (DOT) must place a marker at each terminus or intersection of a
designated road, bridge, or other transportation facility and erect other markers it deems appropriate for
the facility.
3
Road markers may not be erected until the appropriate city or county commission passes a
resolution in support of a particular designation. Additionally, if a designated facility extends through
multiple cities or counties, a resolution must be passed by each affected local government before the
road markers can be erected by DOT.
4
Deputy William J. Gentry, Jr.
Deputy William J. Gentry, Jr., served with the Highlands County Sherriff’s Office for 13 years in various
capacities, including time on patrol, the K-9 Unit, the Special Investigations Unit, and as a field training
deputy.
5
On May 6, 2019, Deputy Gentry and the deputy he was training responded to an animal abuse
call in Highlands County. Deputy Gentry attempted to make contact with the suspect, who opened fire
on Deputy Gentry. At the age of 40, Deputy Gentry succumbed to his injuries on May 7, 2019.
6
Effect of the Bill
The bill designates that portion of U.S. 98 between Haywood Taylor Boulevard and Lakeview
Boulevard in Highlands County as “Deputy William J. Gentry, Jr., Highway.” The bill requires DOT to
erect suitable markers for the road designation.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Designates “Deputy Sheriff Donta Manuel and Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Wallace Highway.”
Section 2: Provides an effective date of July 1, 2022.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
1
S. 334.071(1), F.S.
2
S. 267.062(1), F.S.
3
S. 334.071(2), F.S.
4
S. 334.071(3), F.S.
5
Legacy.Com, William J Gentry, Jr., https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/william-gentry-jr-obituary?pid=188976004
(last visited Nov. 22, 2021).
6
Officer Down Memorial Page, Deputy Sheriff William Jackson Gentry, Jr., https://www.odmp.org/officer/23672-deputy-
sheriff-william-jackson-gentry-jr (last visited Nov. 22, 2021). STORAGE NAME: h0147.TIE PAGE: 3
DATE: 11/24/2021
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
DOT estimates a cost of $1,040 for the appropriate markers, which provides for two signs at $520
per sign.
7
Therefore, the bill has an estimated negative fiscal impact of $1,040 to the State
Transportation Trust Fund. This cost can be absorbed within existing DOT resources.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
None.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision:
Not applicable. This bill does not appear to affect county or municipal governments.
2. Other:
None.
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
The bill does not require or authorize rulemaking.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
None.
IV. AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES
Not applicable.
7
E-mail from Amanda Marsh, Legislative Programs Office, Department of Transportation, RE:FDOT Memorial Roadway
Designation Sign Estimate (Sept. 15, 2021).