HBA-CMT S.B. 183 77(R) HBA-CMT S.B. 183 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 183 By: Fraser Transportation 4/4/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Convair Atlas was the first operational Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) system utilized by the United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command. The Atlas F, the most advanced variant of the Atlas ICBM series, was employed as a nuclear weapon delivery system from 1962 through 1965. Twelve Atlas F ICBM bases were strategically located in West Texas near rural communities around Dyess Air Force Base and Abilene. Though short lived, the timing of the system's utility, the advanced technology the system introduced, the professionals brought to Texas to operate the system, and the amazing structures constructed to deploy the Atlas F make the system historically significant. Senate Bill 183 designates Farmto-Market Road 604 as the Atlas ICBM Highway to commemorate the contributions made to America's Cold War defense systems by the Convair Atlas Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and the men and women who built and operated them. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS Senate Bill 183 amends the Transportation Code to designate Farm-to-Market Road 604 from State Highway 351 in Shackelford County to U.S. Highway 83 in Taylor County as the Atlas ICBM Highway. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to design and construct markers indicating the highway number, the designation as the Atlas ICBM Highway, and any other appropriate information. The bill requires TxDOT to erect a marker at each end of the highway and at appropriate intermediate sites along the highway. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.