Overall Vote Recommendation

Neutral

Principle Criteria

Free Enterprise

Property Rights

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Individual Liberty

Digest

HB 1960 designates the portion of State Highway 345 within the city limits of San Benito as the Lieutenant Milton Resendez Memorial Highway. The bill directs the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to design, construct, and install appropriate signage marking the designation at each end of the segment and at intermediate points along the route, in accordance with the guidelines under Section 225.021(c) of the Transportation Code, which generally requires that signage be funded through private donations unless otherwise exempted.

Lieutenant Milton Resendez was a respected member of the San Benito Police Department who lost his life in the line of duty. This honorary designation serves as a formal and lasting tribute to his service and sacrifice, and offers the community a tangible way to recognize his legacy.

This is a commemorative bill, carrying no new regulatory obligations or fiscal mandates beyond standard marker construction and installation.

The original version of HB 1960 and the Committee Substitute share the same intent and nearly identical structure: both designate the portion of State Highway 345 within the city limits of San Benito as a memorial highway in honor of Milton Resendez, a fallen public servant. The core difference between the two versions lies in the title used in the designation and a technical section number adjustment.

In the original bill, the designation reads “Milton Resendez Memorial Highway,” without reference to the honoree’s official title. In contrast, the Committee Substitute updates the designation to “Lieutenant Milton Resendez Memorial Highway,” explicitly acknowledging Resendez’s rank and role in law enforcement. This adjustment offers a more formal and respectful commemoration of his public service and sacrifice, aligning with common naming conventions for highway dedications that honor first responders and military personnel.

A second, technical change is seen in the section numbering: the original bill adds Section 225.243 to the Transportation Code, while the committee substitute adds Section 225.246. This likely reflects adjustments in bill sequencing or codification during the legislative drafting process and does not affect the substance or applicability of the law.

Overall, the Committee Substitute improves the clarity and honorific accuracy of the bill without altering its purpose or fiscal implications. The changes are minimal but meaningful, ensuring that the recognition of Lieutenant Resendez is appropriately conveyed in law and public signage.

Author

Janie Lopez

Erin Gamez

Oscar Longoria

Sergio Munoz, Jr.

Terry Canales

Sponsor

Adam Hinojosa

Contact the Author

Rep. Janie Lopez

Capitol Phone:

(512) 463-0640

Capitol Office:

EXT E1.422

E-Mail:

[email protected]

Visit Official Website

Fiscal Notes

According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), the bill would have no significant fiscal impact on the State of Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which is responsible for designing, constructing, and installing the highway markers commemorating the designation, is expected to absorb any associated costs within its existing budget and operational resources. This is consistent with other similar memorial highway bills, where signage expenses are typically modest and do not necessitate new appropriations.

The bill also carries no fiscal impact to local governments, as it does not impose any mandates or financial responsibilities on counties or municipalities. All implementation duties fall to the state transportation agency and are limited to signage along the designated portion of State Highway 345 in San Benito.

In sum, HB 1960 is a symbolic and ceremonial measure honoring Lieutenant Milton Resendez, with negligible financial effect on state operations and none on local jurisdictions. Its cost-neutral status contributes to its administrative feasibility and broad legislative support.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Policy Research remains NEUTRAL on HB 1960 due to its ceremonial nature and limited policy impact. The bill proposes to designate a portion of State Highway 345 within the city limits of San Benito as the Lieutenant Milton Resendez Memorial Highway, in honor of a local law enforcement officer who died in the line of duty. Such memorial designations are common practice in Texas and serve symbolic, community-based purposes without altering legal rights or regulatory frameworks.

The measure requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to design and erect signage at the designated highway segment, in accordance with existing statutory provisions. Notably, under Section 225.021(c) of the Transportation Code, signage costs must be covered by private donations or grants, unless otherwise appropriated. As confirmed by the Legislative Budget Board, H.B. 1960 has no significant fiscal implications for state or local governments.

Because the bill does not modify substantive law or create new government responsibilities beyond commemorative signage, it has no direct effect on liberty principles such as individual liberty, free enterprise, or private property rights. It neither expands nor contracts the scope of government authority in a meaningful way.

While the intent behind HB 1960 is commendable and may have strong local and emotional resonance, from a policy analysis perspective, it is a non-substantive measure.

Individual Liberty: The bill has no direct effect on individual liberty. It does not alter the rights or freedoms of individuals, nor does it impose or remove any personal obligations. Its symbolic purpose, honoring a fallen public servant, may serve a civic function, but does not interact with personal freedoms.
Personal Responsibility: The bill indirectly supports personal responsibility by recognizing and honoring the public service and sacrifice of Lieutenant Resendez. While it doesn’t legislate behavior or incentives, it reflects a societal value placed on duty and service, which can reinforce civic-mindedness and professional accountability.
Free Enterprise: There is no impact on free enterprise. The bill does not affect commerce, regulation, or market access. It neither hinders nor enhances the ability of individuals or businesses to operate freely within the state.
Private Property Rights: The bill has no implications for private property rights. It applies exclusively to a stretch of state-managed highway and does not affect land use, ownership, or access to private property.
Limited Government: Neutral to positive in terms of limited government. While the bill does direct a state agency (TxDOT) to install signage, it does so under existing statutory provisions that require private funding for commemorative highway markers. This ensures that the action does not expand government spending or operational scope in any significant way. It remains a ceremonial recognition within a pre-existing regulatory framework.

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