HB 2721
Toth bill for a “Gulf of America” sign
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to the installation and maintenance by the Texas Department of Transportation of highway signs for certain cultural attractions.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
TxDOT puts it on Interstate 45 near Galveston.
The bill orders the Texas Department of Transportation to put up and maintain a highway sign on Interstate 45 near Galveston marking the entrance to the "Gulf of America." The sign must read "Welcome to Galveston, Gateway to the Gulf of America," and it skips the usual distance and attendance limits for cultural-attraction signs but must otherwise follow state and federal sign manuals. The only change on the ground is one new state-maintained sign starting September 1, 2025.
Labels
Labels: PENDING FOREVER. Heard by the House Transportation committee on Apr 29, 2025 and left pending. Never voted out. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB2721 · 2025-02-12
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the installation and maintenance by the Texas Department of Transportation of highway signs for certain cultural attractions.
WHAT IT DOES
TxDOT puts it on Interstate 45 near Galveston.
The bill orders the Texas Department of Transportation to put up and maintain a highway sign on Interstate 45 near Galveston marking the entrance to the "Gulf of America." The sign must read "Welcome to Galveston, Gateway to the Gulf of America," and it skips the usual distance and attendance limits for cultural-attraction signs but must otherwise follow state and federal sign manuals. The only change on the ground is one new state-maintained sign starting September 1, 2025.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version I · April 28, 2025
No first-year general revenue figure available here.
LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.
Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Transportation
- Posting rule suspended
- Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
- Considered in public hearing
- Left pending in committee
ALSO NOTED · NOT CHARGED (1)
RENAMING AND CEREMONIAL · analysis confidence 75%
THE TEXT
…“must include the phrase "Welcome to Galveston, Gateway to the Gulf of America."”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill's only operative effect is a ceremonial welcome sign carrying a set phrase. It sets no policy beyond putting that message on a highway.
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Mar 25, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$32,500.00
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$32,500.00
- Cash
- $32,500.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $32,500.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jul 10, 2024 to Jun 27, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101005773, 101012329.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$32,500.00
- Cash
- $32,500.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $32,500.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jul 10, 2024 to Jun 27, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101005773, 101012329.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version I · April 28, 2025
No first-year general revenue figure available here.
LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.
Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Feb 12, 2025
04/29/2025 H Left pending in committee
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Transportation · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
GALVESTON, CITY OF (GF1U6)
GULF OF AMERICA (GL83V)
GULF OF MEXICO
Highways
SIGNS
TRANSPORTATION, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF
Text
The text as introduced · 188 words
89R11558 RDR-D By: Toth H.B. No. 2721 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the installation and maintenance by the Texas Department of Transportation of highway signs for certain cultural attractions. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding any distance or attendance limitations established under the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for recreational and cultural interest area guide signs, and subject to Subsection (c) of this section, the Texas Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain a sign to designate the entrance to the Gulf of America at an appropriate location along Interstate Highway 45 near Galveston. (b) The sign required by Subsection (a) of this section must include the phrase "Welcome to Galveston, Gateway to the Gulf of America." (c) Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (a) of this section, a sign erected under this section may not violate the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices or the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices issued by the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.