MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Transportation By: Representatives Massengill, Hall House Bill 1245 (As Sent to Governor) AN ACT TO DESIGNATE THE ENTIRE SEGMENT OF INTERSTATE 22 THAT LIES WITHIN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, ALONG WITH A PORTION OF U.S. HIGHWAY 78 LOCATED IN BYHALIA, DESOTO COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, THAT EXTENDS NORTHWESTERLY TO ITS POINT OF BEGINNING AT THE MISSISSIPPI-TENNESSEE STATE LINE, AS THE "MEDAL OF HONOR TRAIL"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 19 SOUTH LOCATED IN NESHOBA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "MSGT. BRIDGETTE R. HORN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 9 SOUTH LOCATED IN PONTOTOC COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "MEAGHAN BEDFORD REED MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO DESIGNATE THE STRONG RIVER BRIDGE, WHICH IS A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 149, LOCATED IN SIMPSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "BADGER-MALONE-IGLEHARTE MEMORIAL BRIDGE"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 366 LOCATED IN PRENTISS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "HOUSTON 'DALE' KENNEDY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO DESIGNATE THE BRIDGE ON REGIONAL CENTER DRIVE IN OXFORD, LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "JERRY WILBURN MEMORIAL BRIDGE"; TO DESIGNATE THE BRIDGE ON U.S. ROUTE 72 THAT SPANS TURNER CREEK IN CORINTH, ALCORN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF COUNTY ROAD 14 LOCATED IN JASPER COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "TIMOTHY JONES-WILLIE JONES-GEORGE HILTON STEPHENSON-ADAM J. SIMS-JOHNNY LEE JONES MEMORIAL ROAD"; TO REQUIRE SIGNAGE FOR THE BEREAN CHILDREN'S HOME ON U.S. ROUTE 84 IN LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION WITH MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 583; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 82 EAST IN OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "ELIZABETH 'LAKE' LITTLE MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF BLACKJACK ROAD IN OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "OFFICER LIQUORI T. TATE MEMORIAL ROAD"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 4 EAST IN TATE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "WINFRED T. AIKEN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 63 NORTH IN LEAKESVILLE, GREENE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "MARY KALENE 'KATIE' PIPKINS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION, ACTING ON ITS OWN BEHALF OR ON BEHALF OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, TO DONATE TO THE CITY OF MARKS, MISSISSIPPI, A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN MARKS, MISSISSIPPI, AT THE INTERSECTION OF STATE HIGHWAYS 3 AND 6; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. (1) The entire segment of Interstate 22 traversing through DeSoto, Marshall, Benton, Union, Pontotoc, Lee and Itawamba Counties, Mississippi, beginning at the convergence of Interstate 269 with U.S. Highway 78 in Byhalia, Mississippi, and extending southeasterly to its ending at the Mississippi-Alabama state line, in conjunction with that portion of U.S. Highway 78, which converges with Interstate 269 in Byhalia, Mississippi, and extending northwesterly to its ending at the Mississippi-Tennessee state line, is designated and shall be known as the "Medal of Honor Trail." (2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of highway described in subsection (1) of this section. SECTION 2. (1) The segment of Mississippi Highway 19 South located in Neshoba County, Mississippi, north of the Neshoba County-Newton County line, extending for a distance of approximately one (1) mile in the northerly direction to the southbound lane of its intersection with County Road 709, is designated and shall be known as the "MSgt. Bridgette R. Horn Memorial Highway." (2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of highway described in subsection (1) of this section. The signage assembly to be erected along and approaching the segment of highway described in subsection (1) shall include the "End of Watch" date for MSgt. Bridgette R. Horn as November 19, 2020. SECTION 3. (1) The segment of Mississippi Highway 9 South located in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, commencing at a point approximately two hundred (200) feet north of Gilmer Road, and extending for a distance of approximately one (1) mile in the southerly direction to a point of its intersection near Ward Drive, is designated and shall be known as the "Meaghan Bedford Reed Memorial Highway." (2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of highway described in subsection (1) of this section. SECTION 4. (1) The Strong River Bridge, which is a segment of Mississippi Highway 149, located in Simpson County, Mississippi, is designated and shall be known as the "Badger-Malone-Igleharte Memorial Bridge," in honor of Mr. Charles Badger, Mr. Kevin Malone and Mr. Charles Igleharte, who were victims of the bridge collapse over the Strong River on October 16, 2024. (2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain an appropriate plaque at each end of the bridge and suitable markers along and approaching the bridge, described in subsection (1) of this section. SECTION 5. (1) The segment of Mississippi Highway 366 located in Prentiss County, Mississippi, commencing at its intersection with Highway 371 and extending in the westerly direction for a distance of one-half (1/2) mile, shall be known as the "Houston 'Dale' Kennedy Memorial Highway." (2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of highway described in subsection (1) of this section. SECTION 6. (1) The bridge on Regional Center Drive in Oxford, Lafayette County, Mississippi, is designated and shall be known as the "Jerry Wilburn Memorial Bridge." (2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain an appropriate plaque at each end of the bridge, and suitable markers along and approaching the bridge, described in subsection (1) of this section. SECTION 7. (1) The bridge on U.S. Route 72 that spans Turner Creek in Corinth, Alcorn County, Mississippi, is designated and shall be known as the "Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge." (2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain an appropriate plaque at each end of the bridge, and suitable markers along and approaching the bridge, described in subsection (1) of this section. SECTION 8. (1) The segment of County Road 14 located in Jasper County, Mississippi, from its intersection with Mississippi Highway 528 and extending north to its intersection with County Road 31, shall be known as the "Timothy Jones-Willie R. Jones-George Hilton Stephenson-Adam J. Sims-Johnny Lee Jones Memorial Road." (2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of road described in subsection (1) of this section. SECTION 9. The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs at the eastbound and westbound lanes of U.S. Route 84 in Lincoln County, Mississippi, approaching the intersection with Mississippi Highway 583, to indicate the location of the Berean Children's Home. SECTION 10. (1) A segment of Mississippi Highway 82 East located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, the specification of its points of commencement and terminus to be determined by the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors and thereafter communicated to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, such segment extending a distance of one (1) mile, shall be known as the "Elizabeth 'Lake' Little Memorial Highway." (2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of highway described in subsection (1) of this section. SECTION 11. (1) A segment of Blackjack Road located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, the specification of its points of commencement and terminus to be determined by the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors and thereafter communicated to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, such segment extending a distance of one (1) mile, shall be known as the "Officer Liquori T. Tate Memorial Road." (2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of road described in subsection (1) of this section. The signage assembly to be erected along and approaching the segment of road described in subsection (1) of this section shall include the "End of Watch" date for Officer Liquori T. Tate as May 9, 2015. SECTION 12. (1) The segment of Mississippi Highway 4 East located in Tate County, Mississippi, commencing three-tenths (3/10) of a mile east of its intersection with Looxahoma Circle and Lyles Road, and continuing to a point one-eighth (1/8) of a mile west of its intersection with Mississippi Highway 305, shall be known as the "Winfred T. Aiken Memorial Highway." (2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of road described in subsection (1) of this section. SECTION 13. (1) The segment of Mississippi Highway 63 North located east of the incorporated area of Leakesville, Greene County, Mississippi, commencing at the eastern overpass interchange of Mississippi Highway 63 and Mississippi Highway 57, and extending a distance of one (1) mile in the easterly direction toward Mississippi Highway 594, shall be known as the "Mary Kalene 'Katie' Pipkins Memorial Highway." (2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of road described in subsection (1) of this section. SECTION 14. (1) The State Highway Commission, acting on its own behalf, or on behalf of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, as the case may be, is authorized to donate to the City of Marks, Mississippi, certain real property and any improvements thereon located in Marks, Mississippi, known as the "Marks Community Park," and being more particularly described as follows: the Southwest Quadrant of the intersection of State Highways Numbers 3 and 6, in the City of Marks, Quitman County, Mississippi. (2) (a) Of the property described in subsection (1) of this section, it is hereby understood and agreed by the City of Marks, Mississippi, as the grantee herein named, that all existing utilities located on, under or above the property herein described, shall remain at the discretion of the utility owners, and that the grantee, its assigns or successors in the title will not require the relocation of these utilities except by agreement with the utility owner. (b) This conveyance is subject to the provisions that no junkyards, as defined in 23 USC 136, shall be hereafter established or maintained on or above the described lands, and no signs, billboards, outdoor advertising structures or advertisement of any kind, as provided for in 23 USC 131, shall be hereafter erected, displayed, placed or maintained upon or within the above-described land, except that signs may be erected and maintained to advertise the sale, hire or lease of the property, or principal activities conducted on the land upon which the signs are located. (3) The State of Mississippi shall retain all mineral rights to the real property transferred under this section. (4) The Mississippi Department of Transportation is authorized to correct any discrepancies in the legal description of the property provided in this section. (5) Any expenses incurred in conducting a survey of the property shall be paid for by the City of Marks, Mississippi. SECTION 15. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Transportation
By: Representatives Massengill, Hall
# House Bill 1245
## (As Sent to Governor)
AN ACT TO DESIGNATE THE ENTIRE SEGMENT OF INTERSTATE 22 THAT LIES WITHIN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, ALONG WITH A PORTION OF U.S. HIGHWAY 78 LOCATED IN BYHALIA, DESOTO COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, THAT EXTENDS NORTHWESTERLY TO ITS POINT OF BEGINNING AT THE MISSISSIPPI-TENNESSEE STATE LINE, AS THE "MEDAL OF HONOR TRAIL"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 19 SOUTH LOCATED IN NESHOBA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "MSGT. BRIDGETTE R. HORN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 9 SOUTH LOCATED IN PONTOTOC COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "MEAGHAN BEDFORD REED MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO DESIGNATE THE STRONG RIVER BRIDGE, WHICH IS A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 149, LOCATED IN SIMPSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "BADGER-MALONE-IGLEHARTE MEMORIAL BRIDGE"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 366 LOCATED IN PRENTISS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "HOUSTON 'DALE' KENNEDY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO DESIGNATE THE BRIDGE ON REGIONAL CENTER DRIVE IN OXFORD, LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "JERRY WILBURN MEMORIAL BRIDGE"; TO DESIGNATE THE BRIDGE ON U.S. ROUTE 72 THAT SPANS TURNER CREEK IN CORINTH, ALCORN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF COUNTY ROAD 14 LOCATED IN JASPER COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "TIMOTHY JONES-WILLIE JONES-GEORGE HILTON STEPHENSON-ADAM J. SIMS-JOHNNY LEE JONES MEMORIAL ROAD"; TO REQUIRE SIGNAGE FOR THE BEREAN CHILDREN'S HOME ON U.S. ROUTE 84 IN LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION WITH MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 583; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 82 EAST IN OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "ELIZABETH 'LAKE' LITTLE MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF BLACKJACK ROAD IN OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "OFFICER LIQUORI T. TATE MEMORIAL ROAD"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 4 EAST IN TATE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "WINFRED T. AIKEN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 63 NORTH IN LEAKESVILLE, GREENE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "MARY KALENE 'KATIE' PIPKINS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION, ACTING ON ITS OWN BEHALF OR ON BEHALF OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, TO DONATE TO THE CITY OF MARKS, MISSISSIPPI, A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN MARKS, MISSISSIPPI, AT THE INTERSECTION OF STATE HIGHWAYS 3 AND 6; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The entire segment of Interstate 22 traversing through DeSoto, Marshall, Benton, Union, Pontotoc, Lee and Itawamba Counties, Mississippi, beginning at the convergence of Interstate 269 with U.S. Highway 78 in Byhalia, Mississippi, and extending southeasterly to its ending at the Mississippi-Alabama state line, in conjunction with that portion of U.S. Highway 78, which converges with Interstate 269 in Byhalia, Mississippi, and extending northwesterly to its ending at the Mississippi-Tennessee state line, is designated and shall be known as the "Medal of Honor Trail."
(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of highway described in subsection (1) of this section.
SECTION 2. (1) The segment of Mississippi Highway 19 South located in Neshoba County, Mississippi, north of the Neshoba County-Newton County line, extending for a distance of approximately one (1) mile in the northerly direction to the southbound lane of its intersection with County Road 709, is designated and shall be known as the "MSgt. Bridgette R. Horn Memorial Highway."
(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of highway described in subsection (1) of this section. The signage assembly to be erected along and approaching the segment of highway described in subsection (1) shall include the "End of Watch" date for MSgt. Bridgette R. Horn as November 19, 2020.
SECTION 3. (1) The segment of Mississippi Highway 9 South located in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, commencing at a point approximately two hundred (200) feet north of Gilmer Road, and extending for a distance of approximately one (1) mile in the southerly direction to a point of its intersection near Ward Drive, is designated and shall be known as the "Meaghan Bedford Reed Memorial Highway."
(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of highway described in subsection (1) of this section.
SECTION 4. (1) The Strong River Bridge, which is a segment of Mississippi Highway 149, located in Simpson County, Mississippi, is designated and shall be known as the "Badger-Malone-Igleharte Memorial Bridge," in honor of Mr. Charles Badger, Mr. Kevin Malone and Mr. Charles Igleharte, who were victims of the bridge collapse over the Strong River on October 16, 2024.
(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain an appropriate plaque at each end of the bridge and suitable markers along and approaching the bridge, described in subsection (1) of this section.
SECTION 5. (1) The segment of Mississippi Highway 366 located in Prentiss County, Mississippi, commencing at its intersection with Highway 371 and extending in the westerly direction for a distance of one-half (1/2) mile, shall be known as the "Houston 'Dale' Kennedy Memorial Highway."
(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of highway described in subsection (1) of this section.
SECTION 6. (1) The bridge on Regional Center Drive in Oxford, Lafayette County, Mississippi, is designated and shall be known as the "Jerry Wilburn Memorial Bridge."
(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain an appropriate plaque at each end of the bridge, and suitable markers along and approaching the bridge, described in subsection (1) of this section.
SECTION 7. (1) The bridge on U.S. Route 72 that spans Turner Creek in Corinth, Alcorn County, Mississippi, is designated and shall be known as the "Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge."
(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain an appropriate plaque at each end of the bridge, and suitable markers along and approaching the bridge, described in subsection (1) of this section.
SECTION 8. (1) The segment of County Road 14 located in Jasper County, Mississippi, from its intersection with Mississippi Highway 528 and extending north to its intersection with County Road 31, shall be known as the "Timothy Jones-Willie R. Jones-George Hilton Stephenson-Adam J. Sims-Johnny Lee Jones Memorial Road."
(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of road described in subsection (1) of this section.
SECTION 9. The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs at the eastbound and westbound lanes of U.S. Route 84 in Lincoln County, Mississippi, approaching the intersection with Mississippi Highway 583, to indicate the location of the Berean Children's Home.
SECTION 10. (1) A segment of Mississippi Highway 82 East located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, the specification of its points of commencement and terminus to be determined by the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors and thereafter communicated to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, such segment extending a distance of one (1) mile, shall be known as the "Elizabeth 'Lake' Little Memorial Highway."
(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of highway described in subsection (1) of this section.
SECTION 11. (1) A segment of Blackjack Road located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, the specification of its points of commencement and terminus to be determined by the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors and thereafter communicated to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, such segment extending a distance of one (1) mile, shall be known as the "Officer Liquori T. Tate Memorial Road."
(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of road described in subsection (1) of this section. The signage assembly to be erected along and approaching the segment of road described in subsection (1) of this section shall include the "End of Watch" date for Officer Liquori T. Tate as May 9, 2015.
SECTION 12. (1) The segment of Mississippi Highway 4 East located in Tate County, Mississippi, commencing three-tenths (3/10) of a mile east of its intersection with Looxahoma Circle and Lyles Road, and continuing to a point one-eighth (1/8) of a mile west of its intersection with Mississippi Highway 305, shall be known as the "Winfred T. Aiken Memorial Highway."
(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of road described in subsection (1) of this section.
SECTION 13. (1) The segment of Mississippi Highway 63 North located east of the incorporated area of Leakesville, Greene County, Mississippi, commencing at the eastern overpass interchange of Mississippi Highway 63 and Mississippi Highway 57, and extending a distance of one (1) mile in the easterly direction toward Mississippi Highway 594, shall be known as the "Mary Kalene 'Katie' Pipkins Memorial Highway."
(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of road described in subsection (1) of this section.
SECTION 14. (1) The State Highway Commission, acting on its own behalf, or on behalf of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, as the case may be, is authorized to donate to the City of Marks, Mississippi, certain real property and any improvements thereon located in Marks, Mississippi, known as the "Marks Community Park," and being more particularly described as follows: the Southwest Quadrant of the intersection of State Highways Numbers 3 and 6, in the City of Marks, Quitman County, Mississippi.
(2) (a) Of the property described in subsection (1) of this section, it is hereby understood and agreed by the City of Marks, Mississippi, as the grantee herein named, that all existing utilities located on, under or above the property herein described, shall remain at the discretion of the utility owners, and that the grantee, its assigns or successors in the title will not require the relocation of these utilities except by agreement with the utility owner.
(b) This conveyance is subject to the provisions that no junkyards, as defined in 23 USC 136, shall be hereafter established or maintained on or above the described lands, and no signs, billboards, outdoor advertising structures or advertisement of any kind, as provided for in 23 USC 131, shall be hereafter erected, displayed, placed or maintained upon or within the above-described land, except that signs may be erected and maintained to advertise the sale, hire or lease of the property, or principal activities conducted on the land upon which the signs are located.
(3) The State of Mississippi shall retain all mineral rights to the real property transferred under this section.
(4) The Mississippi Department of Transportation is authorized to correct any discrepancies in the legal description of the property provided in this section.
(5) Any expenses incurred in conducting a survey of the property shall be paid for by the City of Marks, Mississippi.
SECTION 15. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.