Q
What does Texas SB876 do?
SB876 mandates the designation of the U. S. Highway 377 relief route in Hood and Johnson Counties as the "Bob Cornett Parkway," effective September 1, 2025.
SB876
Regular Session
Relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 377 in Hood and Johnson Counties as the Bob Cornett Parkway.
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: Operational adjustments (mapping/dispatch) should be prepared by September 1, 2025, though physical signage is contingent on funding.
- Agency Rulemaking: No formal rulemaking required; however, TxDOT implementation is paused until Section 225.021(c) funding requirements are met via donation or grant.
Immediate Action Plan
- Logistics Directors: Patch routing software to recognize "Bob Cornett Parkway" as a valid alias for U.S. 377 in Hood and Johnson Counties.
- Fleet Managers: Issue a bulletin to North Texas drivers clarifying that the "Parkway" designation does not alter truck routes or weight limits.
- Local Facilities: If your business frontage is on the relief route, delay ordering new marketing materials with the new name until physical signage is verified installed.
Operational Changes Required
Contracts
- Lease & Vendor Agreements: Real estate and supply contracts for properties along the Cresson relief route must retain "U.S. Highway 377" as the primary legal description. Add "also known as Bob Cornett Parkway" to delivery instructions to prevent vendor confusion.
Hiring/Training
- Driver Briefings: Fleet managers must instruct drivers that the "Parkway" designation is ceremonial. It does not imply new commercial vehicle restrictions, weight limit changes, or hazardous material exclusions typically associated with municipal parkways.
Reporting & Record-Keeping
- Database Hygiene: Update internal CRM and GIS databases. Ensure that "Bob Cornett Parkway" is linked to U.S. 377 in your systems to prevent address validation errors for clients located in this corridor.
Fees & Costs
- No Direct Cost: There are no new fees for businesses. The cost of signage is statutorily shifted to private donors or grants; state funds cannot be used.
Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations
- The Funding Trigger: The law prohibits TxDOT from installing signage until non-state funding is received. This creates a potential "gap period" where digital maps (Google/Apple/Garmin) may update the name before physical road signs exist, or vice versa. Drivers should be warned of this potential visual disconnect.
- USPS Recognition: The bill does not mandate United States Postal Service recognition. Businesses should not adopt the new name for official mailing addresses until local postmaster verification is secured.
Need Help Understanding Implementation?
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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. 876 |
| 89R5559 RDR-D | By: Birdwell |
| Transportation | |
| 5/1/2025 | |
| As Filed |
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
William "Bob" Cornett, who served as the mayor of the City of Cresson from 2003 to 2020, passed away on December 31, 2023. In 1983, Mr. Cornett moved to Cresson, and in 1988 he joined the Cresson Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Cornett also served as Mayor Pro-Tem and Mayor of the City of Cresson from its incorporation until 2020.
The Cresson Bypass�officially termed the US 377 Cresson Relief Route�is a three-mile route just west of the city of Cresson. Mayor Cornett was a driving force behind the Cresson Bypass project, which was built to route traffic over the Fort Worth and Western Railroad switch yard and provides major relief to traffic between Hood and Erath Counties and the greater Fort Worth area.
S.B. 876 will designate the newly constructed "Cresson Bypass" on US 377, connecting Hood and Johnson Counties, as the Bob Cornett Parkway in honor of the late William "Bob" Cornett.
As proposed, S.B. 876 amends current law relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 377 in Hood and Johnson Counties as the Bob Cornett Parkway.
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. BOB CORNETT PARKWAY. (a) Provides that the portion of U.S. Highway 377 under construction as of September 1, 2024, as a relief route around Cresson, in Hood and Johnson Counties is designated as the Bob Cornett Parkway. 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:
(1) design and construct markers indicating the designation as the Bob Cornett Parkway and any other appropriate information; and
(2) erect a market at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
Senate Authors
House Sponsors
Joint Sponsors
Cosponsors (1)
Bill Text(with markup)
| S.B. No. 876 | ||
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| relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 377 in Hood | ||
| and Johnson Counties as the Bob Cornett Parkway. | ||
| 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. BOB CORNETT PARKWAY. (a) The portion of U.S. | ||
| Highway 377 under construction as of September 1, 2024, as a relief | ||
| route around Cresson, in Hood and Johnson Counties is designated as | ||
| the Bob Cornett Parkway. 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 Bob Cornett Parkway 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 Robert Nichols, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation |
| FROM: | Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB876 by Birdwell (Relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 377 in Hood and Johnson Counties as the Bob Cornett Parkway.), 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 SB876
Q
Who authored SB876?
SB876 was authored by Texas Senator Brian Birdwell during the Regular Session.
Q
When was SB876 signed into law?
SB876 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.
Q
Which agencies enforce SB876?
SB876 is enforced by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
Q
How urgent is compliance with SB876?
The compliance urgency for SB876 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.
Q
What is the cost impact of SB876?
The cost impact of SB876 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
Q
What topics does SB876 address?
SB876 addresses topics including hood county, johnson county, highways, bob cornett parkway and signs.
Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025
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