Q
What does Texas HB1242 do?
HB1242 designates a specific segment of U. S. Highway 281 in Brooks County as the "Ernesto Soliz Cantu Memorial Highway.
HB1242
Regular Session
Relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 281 as the Ernesto Soliz Cantu Memorial Highway.
LowStandard timeline
Low Cost
Effective:2025-05-29
Enforcing Agencies
Texas Department of Transportation
01
Compliance Analysis
Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation
Implementation Timeline
- Effective Date: May 29, 2025 (Immediate effect upon Governor's signature due to supermajority vote).
- Compliance Deadline: N/A. There are no mandatory compliance actions for businesses.
- Agency Rulemaking: None required. TxDOT will utilize existing engineering standards for sign placement once funding is secured.
Immediate Action Plan
- General Counsel/Compliance: Ensure no internal teams update the company's legal address or registered agent filings based on this news.
- Logistics Managers: Continue using existing route data; this does not change weight limits or highway classification.
- Local Stakeholders (Brooks County): If your organization supports this memorial, contact the local TxDOT district office immediately to obtain a cost estimate and execute the donation agreement.
Operational Changes Required
Contracts
No action required. This designation does not alter force majeure clauses, vendor agreements, or logistics contracts.
Hiring/Training
No action required.
Reporting & Record-Keeping
CRITICAL WARNING: Do not update your official registered agent address, billing address, or shipping coordinates to "Ernesto Soliz Cantu Memorial Highway."
- The designation is honorary.
- The legal postal address remains "U.S. Highway 281."
- Altering your address in official filings may result in service of process failures or logistics delays.
Fees & Costs
Voluntary only. There are no mandatory fees. However, under Texas Transportation Code Section 225.021(c), the state will not pay for the signage. Local stakeholders (Chambers of Commerce, civic groups) must provide a grant or donation to TxDOT to cover fabrication and installation costs if they wish to see the signs erected.
Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations
The "Zombie Law" Provision:
The statute mandates TxDOT to erect signs, but strictly conditions this duty on the receipt of non-state funds. If the community fails to raise the specific amount required by the local TxDOT district engineer, the law remains effective but dormant—no signs will be installed. There is no statutory deadline for when these funds must be raised.
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Schedule ConsultationInformation presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.
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Legislative Timeline
This bill's path through the Texas Legislature
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Official Analysis
BILL ANALYSIS |
| H.B. 1242 |
| By: Guillen |
| Transportation |
| Committee Report (Unamended) |
| BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Ernesto Soliz Cantu was a respected figure in Brooks County, known for his contributions to the United States during the Vietnam War, and deserves recognition for his service to our country. H.B. 1242 seeks to honor his legacy by designating a segment of U.S. Highway 281 between County Road 304 and Huppergate Road in Brooks County as the Ernesto Soliz Cantu Memorial Highway.
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| CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
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| RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
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| ANALYSIS H.B. 1242 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of U.S. Highway 281 in Brooks County between its intersection with County Road 304 and Huppergate Road as the Ernesto Soliz Cantu Memorial Highway. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation, subject to a grant or donation of funds, to do the following: ·design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Ernesto Soliz Cantu Memorial Highway and any other appropriate information; and ·erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.
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| EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2025.
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House Authors
Senate Sponsor
Bill Text(with markup)
| H.B. No. 1242 | ||
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| relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 281 as the | ||
| Ernesto Soliz Cantu Memorial Highway. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, | ||
| is amended by adding Section 225.251 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 225.251. ERNESTO SOLIZ CANTU MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) | ||
| The portion of U.S. Highway 281 in Brooks County between its | ||
| intersection with County Road 304 and Huppergate Road is designated | ||
| as the Ernesto Soliz Cantu Memorial Highway. | ||
| (b) Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall: | ||
| (1) design and construct markers indicating the | ||
| designation as the Ernesto Soliz Cantu Memorial Highway and any | ||
| other appropriate information; and | ||
| (2) erect a marker at each end of the highway and at | ||
| appropriate intermediate sites along the highway. | ||
| SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. | ||
| TO: | Honorable Tom Craddick, Chair, House Committee on Transportation |
| FROM: | Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB1242 by Guillen (Relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 281 as the Ernesto Soliz Cantu Memorial Highway.), As Introduced |
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
| Source Agencies: | 601 Department of Transportation |
| LBB Staff: | JMc, AAL, TG |
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Quick Reference
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about HB1242
Q
Who authored HB1242?
HB1242 was authored by Texas Representative Ryan Guillen during the Regular Session.
Q
When was HB1242 signed into law?
HB1242 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 29, 2025.
Q
Which agencies enforce HB1242?
HB1242 is enforced by Texas Department of Transportation.
Q
How urgent is compliance with HB1242?
The compliance urgency for HB1242 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.
Q
What is the cost impact of HB1242?
The cost impact of HB1242 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
Q
What topics does HB1242 address?
HB1242 addresses topics including highways, brooks county, ernesto soliz cantu memorial highway, transportation, texas department of and signs.
Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025
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