Q
What does Texas SB1931 do?
SB1931 designates a specific portion of Business U. S. Highway 83-S in Hidalgo County as the "SP4 Rodolfo Valdez Memorial Highway.
SB1931
Regular Session
Relating to the designation of a portion of Business U.S. Highway 83-S in Hidalgo County as the SP4 Rodolfo Valdez Memorial Highway.
LowStandard timeline
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
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Compliance Analysis
Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation
Implementation Timeline
- Effective Date: September 1, 2025
- Compliance Deadline: N/A (No mandatory compliance actions for private entities).
- Agency Rulemaking: None. TxDOT will manage signage installation internally, contingent upon funding.
Immediate Action Plan
- 1. General Membership: Archive this analysis; no further action is required.
- 2. Logistics & Mapping Providers: Flag the Business U.S. Highway 83-S corridor in Hidalgo County for a nomenclature update in the Q3 2025 data cycle.
- 3. Facilities in La Joya/Hidalgo County: Monitor the roadway for physical signage installation post-September 2025 before updating customer-facing wayfinding instructions.
Operational Changes Required
Contracts
No action required. This designation does not alter legal property descriptions or address formats for the purpose of Master Service Agreements (MSAs), leases, or vendor contracts.
Hiring/Training
No action required.
Reporting & Record-Keeping
No action required. The law creates no new filing obligations.
- *Note for Logistics/GIS Vendors:* Update routing databases to reflect the dual designation for Business U.S. Highway 83-S to ensure driver navigation systems remain accurate.
Fees & Costs
No impact. The state assumes no fiscal implication. Any costs for signage must be covered by private grants or donations, not by tax assessments or industry fees.
Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations
The "Funding Trigger" (TxDOT Section 225.021(c)):
While the law takes effect September 1, 2025, the physical installation of signage is not guaranteed on that date. The statute prohibits TxDOT from designing, constructing, or erecting the memorial markers unless the department receives a grant or donation to cover the cost.
- Business Risk: Do not update marketing materials, "Directions" web pages, or printed collateral referencing the new highway name until physical signage is verified. If funding is not secured, the name will exist in statute but not on the roadside.
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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
| Senate Research Center | S.B. 1931 |
| 89R13639 AJZ-D | By: Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy" |
| Transportation | |
| 4/16/2025 | |
| As Filed |
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Memorial highways are a way to honor those who have dedicated their life to service. Rodolfo Valdez was a solider who served in the Vietnam War and unfortunately lost his life in combat. To honor his service, a portion of U.S. Highway 83 in Hidalgo County is proposed to be renamed in his honor, the SP4 Rodolfo Valdez Memorial Highway. The portion of the designation highway runs near Valdez's home town of La Joya, Texas, where he lived and graduated.
S.B. 1931 designates a portion of U.S. Highway 83 as the Rodolfo Valdez Memorial Highway to honor his service in the Vietnam War.
As proposed, S.B. 1931 amends current law relating to the designation of a portion of Business U.S. Highway 83-S in Hidalgo County as the SP4 Rodolfo Valdez Memorial Highway.
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 Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code, by adding Section 225.243, as follows:
Sec. 225.243. SP4 RODOLFO VALDEZ MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of Business U.S. Highway 83-S in Hidalgo County between its western and eastern intersections with the U.S. Highway 83 relief route around La Joya is designated as the SP4 Rodolfo Valdez Memorial Highway. Provides that the designation is in addition to any other designation.
(b) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), subject to 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 and construct markers indicating the designation as the SP4 Rodolfo Valdez 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.
SECTION 2. Provides that it is the intention 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. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
Senate Authors
House Sponsor
Bill Text(with markup)
| S.B. No. 1931 | ||
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| relating to the designation of a portion of Business U.S. Highway | ||
| 83-S in Hidalgo County as the SP4 Rodolfo Valdez 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. SP4 RODOLFO VALDEZ MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) The | ||
| portion of Business U.S. Highway 83-S in Hidalgo County between its | ||
| western and eastern intersections with the U.S. Highway 83 relief | ||
| route around La Joya is designated as the SP4 Rodolfo Valdez | ||
| 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 SP4 Rodolfo Valdez 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 intention 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 Robert Nichols, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation |
| FROM: | Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB1931 by Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy" (Relating to the designation of a portion of Business U.S. Highway 83-S in Hidalgo County as the SP4 Rodolfo Valdez 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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Related by Topic
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Quick Reference
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about SB1931
Q
Who authored SB1931?
SB1931 was authored by Texas Senator Juan Hinojosa during the Regular Session.
Q
When was SB1931 signed into law?
SB1931 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 29, 2025.
Q
Which agencies enforce SB1931?
SB1931 is enforced by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
Q
How urgent is compliance with SB1931?
The compliance urgency for SB1931 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.
Q
What is the cost impact of SB1931?
The cost impact of SB1931 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
Q
What topics does SB1931 address?
SB1931 addresses topics including hidalgo county, highways, military & veterans, signs and sp4 rodolfo valdez memorial highway.
Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025
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