Regular Session
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation
No amendments required. Legal descriptions in leases, deeds, and vendor agreements must continue to reference "FM 1097." The memorial name is an honorary overlay and does not replace the official route number for legal or postal purposes.
No impact. No new training or certification is required.
No impact. No new filings are required.
Zero mandatory costs. The state will not assess fees to businesses for this change. The cost of designing, constructing, and erecting the signage must be covered entirely by voluntary private grants or donations.
The primary ambiguity is the operational timeline vs. the legal effective date. While the highway is legally renamed on the effective date, physical signage is subject to Transportation Code § 225.021(c). TxDOT is statutorily prohibited from installing markers until a private entity donates the necessary funds. Consequently, physical wayfinding changes may lag months behind the legal enactment.
Our government affairs experts can walk you through this bill's specific impact on your operations.
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.
This bill's path through the Texas Legislature
BILL ANALYSIS |
| H.B. 2143 |
| By: Metcalf |
| Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs |
| Committee Report (Unamended) |
| BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In February 2022, Army Specialist Joey Lenz tragically passed away while serving at Fort Hood. H.B. 2143 seeks to recognize and honor Mr. Lenz by designating a portion of Farm-to-Market Road 1097 in Montgomery County as the Army Specialist Joey Lenz 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. 2143 amends the Transportation Code to designate the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 1097 in Montgomery County between its intersection with Interstate Highway 45 and its intersection with Lake Conroe Hills Drive as the Army Specialist Joey Lenz Memorial Highway, in addition to any other designation. 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 Army Specialist Joey Lenz 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. The bill establishes the legislature's intent that the provisions added by the bill be renumbered to prevent multiple provisions with the same designation.
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| EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2025.
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| H.B. No. 2143 | ||
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| relating to the designation of a portion of Farm-to-Market Road | ||
| 1097 in Montgomery County as the Army Specialist Joey Lenz 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 225.243 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 225.243. ARMY SPECIALIST JOEY LENZ MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. | ||
| (a) The portion of Farm-to-Market Road 1097 in Montgomery County | ||
| between its intersection with Interstate Highway 45 and its | ||
| intersection with Lake Conroe Hills Drive is designated as the Army | ||
| Specialist Joey Lenz Memorial Highway. The designation is in | ||
| addition to any other designation. | ||
| (b) Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall: | ||
| (1) design and construct markers indicating the | ||
| designation as the Army Specialist Joey Lenz 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. It is the intent of the 89th Legislature, Regular | ||
| Session, 2025, that the provisions added by this Act be renumbered | ||
| to prevent multiple provisions with the same designation. | ||
| SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. | ||
| TO: | Honorable Cole Hefner, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs |
| FROM: | Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB2143 by Metcalf (Relating to the designation of a portion of Farm-to-Market Road 1097 in Montgomery County as the Army Specialist Joey Lenz Memorial Highway.), As Introduced |
| Source Agencies: | 601 Department of Transportation |
| LBB Staff: | JMc, MGol, TG |
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Common questions about HB2143
HB2143 designates the portion of Farm-to-Market Road 1097 between Interstate Highway 45 and Lake Conroe Hills Drive in Montgomery County as the "Army Specialist Joey Lenz Memorial Highway. " This is a ceremonial designation that imposes no regulatory burdens, address changes, or fee increases on local businesses. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: May 24, 2025 (Contingent on 2/3 vote; otherwise September 1, 2025).
HB2143 was authored by Texas Representative William Metcalf during the Regular Session.
HB2143 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 24, 2025.
HB2143 is enforced by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
The compliance urgency for HB2143 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.
The cost impact of HB2143 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
HB2143 addresses topics including montgomery county, highways, army specialist joey lenz memorial highway, military & veterans and signs.
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