BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 249 89R20911 AND-F By: Flores Transportation 3/25/2025 Committee Report (Substituted) AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT When a Texas peace officer is killed in the line of duty, the legislature has the ability to pass a "Memorial Highway Designation" honoring the peace officer. These provide for the placement of memorial markers on the section of highway being designated. Currently, the families of those being honored are required to fund the memorial markers. S.B. 249 relieves the families of that financial burden and requires the Texas Department of Transportation to fund the markers, with money appropriated by the legislature. (Original Author/Sponsor's Statement of Intent) C.S.S.B. 249 amends current law relating to memorial markers for certain officers killed in the line of duty. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 225.021(c), Transportation Code, to create an exception under Section 225.0215. SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.0215, as follows: Sec. 225.0215. MEMORIAL MARKERS FOR CERTAIN OFFICERS KILLED IN LINE OF DUTY. (a) Provides that this section applies only to a marker required under Subchapter B (Specific State Highway Names) designating a part of the highway system, including a bridge or street, for an individual killed in the line of duty who was a law enforcement officer or peace officer for this state or a political subdivision of this state under Article 2A.001 (Peace Officers Generally), Code of Criminal Procedure, or a federal law enforcement officer or special agent performing duties in this state, including those officers under Article 2A.002 (Special Investigators), Code of Criminal Procedure. (b) Authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), notwithstanding Section 225.021(c) (relating to prohibiting TxDOT from designing, constructing, or erecting a marker unless a grant or donation of funds is made to cover the cost), to design, construct, or erect a marker to which this section applies using money appropriated from the general revenue fund to TxDOT for those purposes and gifts, grants, and donations accepted by TxDOT for those purposes. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 249
89R20911 AND-F By: Flores
Transportation
3/25/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
Senate Research Center
C.S.S.B. 249
89R20911 AND-F
By: Flores
Transportation
3/25/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
When a Texas peace officer is killed in the line of duty, the legislature has the ability to pass a "Memorial Highway Designation" honoring the peace officer. These provide for the placement of memorial markers on the section of highway being designated.
Currently, the families of those being honored are required to fund the memorial markers. S.B. 249 relieves the families of that financial burden and requires the Texas Department of Transportation to fund the markers, with money appropriated by the legislature.
(Original Author/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)
C.S.S.B. 249 amends current law relating to memorial markers for certain officers killed in the line of duty.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 225.021(c), Transportation Code, to create an exception under Section 225.0215.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.0215, as follows:
Sec. 225.0215. MEMORIAL MARKERS FOR CERTAIN OFFICERS KILLED IN LINE OF DUTY. (a) Provides that this section applies only to a marker required under Subchapter B (Specific State Highway Names) designating a part of the highway system, including a bridge or street, for an individual killed in the line of duty who was a law enforcement officer or peace officer for this state or a political subdivision of this state under Article 2A.001 (Peace Officers Generally), Code of Criminal Procedure, or a federal law enforcement officer or special agent performing duties in this state, including those officers under Article 2A.002 (Special Investigators), Code of Criminal Procedure.
(b) Authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), notwithstanding Section 225.021(c) (relating to prohibiting TxDOT from designing, constructing, or erecting a marker unless a grant or donation of funds is made to cover the cost), to design, construct, or erect a marker to which this section applies using money appropriated from the general revenue fund to TxDOT for those purposes and gifts, grants, and donations accepted by TxDOT for those purposes.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.