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SB 249 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to memorial markers for certain officers killed in the line of duty.

SB 249 creates a new provision allowing Texas transportation authorities to install memorial markers on highways, bridges, or streets for officers killed in the line of duty. It specifically applies to state/local law enforcement officers (under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2A.001) or federal officers performing duties in Texas (Article 2A.002). The bill changes funding rules by permitting the state to use general revenue funds or accept gifts/grants - instead of requiring private donations - to design, construct, and erect these markers. This policy change directly affects law enforcement families and communities seeking formal recognition on public infrastructure.
Issues: ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates transportation funds for highway memorial markers, enhancing infrastructure signage under Texas highway authority per subjects I0390 and S0235.95% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2024
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Nov 12, 2024 Last action May 12, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · Apr 10, 2025
MODERATE
This bill amends the Texas Transportation Code to clarify that memorial markers for peace officers killed in the line of duty must be funded through grants, donations, or general revenue funds, rather than requiring private funding. It adds a new section specifically covering federal law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty while performing duties in Texas, expanding eligibility beyond state and local officers.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of eligible officers to include federal law enforcement officers and special agents performing duties in Texas, in addition to state and local peace officers.
REQUIREMENT

Modified Section 225.021(c) to clarify that the department cannot design, construct, or erect memorial markers unless a grant or donation of funds covers the costs, removing ambiguity about private funding requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Added Section 225.0215 to explicitly include federal law enforcement officers and special agents performing duties in Texas as eligible recipients of memorial markers.

FISCAL

Added Section 225.0215(b) to specify that memorial markers for eligible officers can be funded using money from the general revenue fund or through gifts, grants, and donations.

TIMELINE

Maintained the effective date of September 1, 2025 for the new provisions.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
28
Key actions
7
Committee
8
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Committee
Referred to Transportation
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Transportation
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
0 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.