Designates a portion of Louisiana Highway 38 in Washington Parish as the "Lance Corporal Larry L. Wells Memorial Highway". (8/1/20) (OR +$1,100 SG EX See Note)
By enacting SB 28, Louisiana state law will recognize the significant impact and sacrifice of Lance Corporal Wells, contributing to a tradition of honoring military service members through memorial designations. This bill reinforces the practice of designating roads or segments of highways after distinguished individuals and is part of a larger context of state efforts to commemorate the contributions of its citizens to the military. While specific financial implications related to signage maintenance and installation costs are clarified, the economic impact on state budgets is limited due to the reliance on local or private funding.
Senate Bill 28 is a legislative proposal aimed at honoring Lance Corporal Larry L. Wells by designating a specific segment of Louisiana Highway 38 as the 'Lance Corporal Larry L. Wells Memorial Highway.' This designation covers the stretch of highway from the Tangipahoa Parish line to Louisiana Highway 25 in the community of Clifton, all located in Washington Parish. The bill provides a mechanism for this designation while ensuring that the financial burden for erecting the appropriate signage falls on local or private sources, capping the state’s expenditure at $550 per sign.
The sentiment surrounding SB 28 appears to be positive, as it reflects a commitment to honoring military personnel who have served the state and nation. Legislators and constituents alike often view memorial designations as a means to foster community pride and respect for service. There may, however, be underlying discussions regarding the proper allocation of state vs. private resources for such commemorations, depending on the financial sustainability of similar future projects.
The primary point of contention surrounding SB 28 is the requirement for local or private funding to cover the costs of signage. Critics may argue that state roads memorializing individuals should not impose financial burdens on local communities, while supporters would assert that this model encourages local investment and engagement within communities. Nonetheless, the overall focus on memorializing a fallen soldier remains a unifying aspect of the bill, and the general reception seems favorable.