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.