Monitoring the Session

HB 3642

Bill naming a bridge and two highways for three people

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Cole HefnerRHouse 5

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 designation of portions of the state highway system as memorial highways and bridges.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Lake Gilmer bridge, plus stretches in Wilbarger and Ector County.

The bill names one bridge and two highway stretches after three people: the Farm-to-Market Road 852 bridge over Lake Gilmer, part of U.S. Highway 287 in Wilbarger County, and part of State Highway 302 in Ector County. It touches the Texas Department of Transportation, which must design and put up markers, subject to an existing rule in Section 225.021(c). Drivers will see new memorial signs on those roads starting September 1, 2025, and nothing else changes.

Labels

Labels: BUZZER BEATER. Final vote Jun 1, 2025: both chambers adopted the conference committee report. 1 day before the session ended Jun 2, 2025.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB3642 · 2025-03-03

SOLD BY

Rep. Cole HefnerRHouse 5

ITEM

relating to the designation of portions of the state highway system as memorial highways and bridges.

WHAT IT DOES

Lake Gilmer bridge, plus stretches in Wilbarger and Ector County.

The bill names one bridge and two highway stretches after three people: the Farm-to-Market Road 852 bridge over Lake Gilmer, part of U.S. Highway 287 in Wilbarger County, and part of State Highway 302 in Ector County. It touches the Texas Department of Transportation, which must design and put up markers, subject to an existing rule in Section 225.021(c). Drivers will see new memorial signs on those roads starting September 1, 2025, and nothing else changes.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 31, 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

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Transportation
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  7. Committee substitute considered in committee
  8. Reported favorably as substituted
  9. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  10. Committee report distributed
  11. Committee report sent to Calendars
  12. Considered in Calendars
  13. Placed on General State Calendar
  14. Read 2nd time
  15. Amended 1-Hefner
  16. Passed to engrossment as amended
  17. Record vote RV#2539
  18. Read 3rd time
  19. Passed
  20. Record vote RV#2651
  21. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  22. Reported engrossed
  23. Received from the House
  24. Read first time
  25. Referred to Transportation
  26. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  27. Considered in public hearing
  28. Vote taken in committee
  29. Reported favorably as substituted
  30. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  31. Committee report printed and distributed
  32. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  33. Laid before the Senate
  34. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  35. Vote recorded in Journal
  36. Three day rule suspended
  37. Record vote
  38. Read 3rd time
  39. Passed
  40. Record vote
  41. Senate passage as amended reported
  42. Senate Amendments distributed
  43. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
  44. House refuses to concur in Senate amendments
  45. House requests conference committee
  46. House appoints conferees
  47. House refuses to concur-reported
  48. House requests conference committee-reported
  49. House appoints conferees-reported
  50. Senate grants request for conference comm.
  51. Senate appoints conferees
  52. Conference committee report filed
  53. Conf. Comm. Report distributed
  54. Senate grants request for conf comm-reported
  55. Senate appoints conferees-reported
  56. House adopts resolution to go outside bounds HR 1496
  57. House adopts conference committee report
  58. Record vote RV#4142
  59. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  60. House adopts conf. comm. report-reported
  61. Senate adopts resolution to go outside bounds SR 702
  62. Senate adopts conference committee report
  63. Record vote
  64. Senate adopts conf. comm. report-reported
  65. Reported enrolled
  66. Signed in the House
  67. Signed in the Senate
  68. Sent to the Governor
  69. Signed by the Governor
  70. Effective on 9/1/25
ALSO NOTED · NOT CHARGED (1)

RENAMING AND CEREMONIAL · analysis confidence 95%

THE TEXT

…“County is designated as the Petty Officer Billy Machen Bridge.”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill only designates memorial names for a bridge and two highway segments and orders signs, which is ceremonial.

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 142 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 15, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 28, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Cole Hefner

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$108KDustin Burrows Campaign$46KGulf States Toyota Inc. State PAC$20K

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 · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 24, 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$107,878.12

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$107,878.12

Cash
$65,000.00
Paid by others
$42,878.12
Total
$107,878.12
mail $42,794.79fundraiser $83.33

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.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 17, 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.

Report IDs: 100986158, 101009093, 101035205, 101069686.

Dustin Burrows Campaign$46,150.00

Dustin Burrows Campaign

$46,150.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$21,150.00
Total
$46,150.00
polling $21,150.00

Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 30, 2025 to Jan 6, 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.

Report IDs: 101009093, 101031796.

Gulf States Toyota Inc. State PAC$20,000.00

Gulf States Toyota Inc. State PAC

$20,000.00

Cash
$20,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$20,000.00

Also funds 90 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 16, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 12, 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.

Report IDs: 100986158, 101009093, 101035205, 101069686.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$107,878.12

Cash
$65,000.00
Paid by others
$42,878.12
Total
$107,878.12
mail $42,794.79fundraiser $83.33

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.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 17, 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.

Report IDs: 100986158, 101009093, 101035205, 101069686.

×

Dustin Burrows Campaign

$46,150.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$21,150.00
Total
$46,150.00
polling $21,150.00

Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 30, 2025 to Jan 6, 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.

Report IDs: 101009093, 101031796.

×

Gulf States Toyota Inc. State PAC

$20,000.00

Cash
$20,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$20,000.00

Also funds 90 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 16, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 12, 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.

Report IDs: 100986158, 101009093, 101035205, 101069686.

Votes7

Senate Jun 1, 2025

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

On motion of Senator Hughes, the Conference Committee Report was adopted by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Jun 1, 2025

Yea
135
Nay
0
Present, not voting
1
Absent
9
Excused
5
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 4142

Representative Hefner moved to adopt the conference committee report on HB 3642. The motion to adopt the conference committee report on HB 3642 prevailed by (Record 4142): 135 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 135 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 9 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Final passage

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSHB 3642 (Hughes) Relating to the designation of portions of the state highway system as memorial highways and bridges and to certain memorial markers and designations on certain highways. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSHB 3642 (Hughes) Relating to the designation of portions of the state highway system as memorial highways and bridges and to certain memorial markers and designations on certain highways. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Passage to third reading

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to third reading. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

CSHB 3642 (Hughes) Relating to the designation of portions of the state highway system as memorial highways and bridges and to certain memorial markers and designations on certain highways. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 15, 2025

Yea
142
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
3
Excused
3
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2651

HB 3642 was passed by (Record 2651): 142 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 142 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 14, 2025

Yea
133
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
5
Excused
10
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2539

CSHB 3642, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 2539): 133 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 133 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 10 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses8
For
7
Against
0
On
1
Names

For

  • Be A Blake Foundation1 registration
  • Houston Police Officers Union (HPOU)1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Self; Houston Police Officers’ Union1 registration
  • Self; Texas DPS Officers Association1 registration
  • Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA)2 registrations

On

  • Texas Department of Transportation1 registration
Sources

8 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 31, 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 Mar 3, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Bryan HughesRSenate 1

House committee · Transportation · Committee vote 12 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Transportation · Committee vote 5 aye, 0 nay, 4 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

EASTLAND COUNTY

ECTOR COUNTY

FREESTONE COUNTY

LEON COUNTY (GI3HN)

PANOLA COUNTY

UPSHUR COUNTY (G67ES)

WILBARGER COUNTY (GT22A)

Highways

CECIL & DOROTHY BELL MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (SH8F2)

DEPUTY SHERIFF DAVID BOSECKER MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (SG7US)

EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (S79BW)

HAMBY-WEBB MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (S27QK)

MOLLY MULLENS MILE (SF7AY)

MOTORCYCLES

PETTY OFFICER BILLY MACHEN BRIDGE (SN1EX)

SIGNS

TROOPER KEVIN RAMIREZ VASQUEZ MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (S09OO)

TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, TEXAS

TRANSPORTATION, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF

Text

The text as introduced · 356 words

89R14971 RDR-D

By: Hefner
H.B. No. 3642

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the designation of portions of the state highway system

as memorial highways and bridges.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 225, Transportation Code,

is amended by adding Sections 225.243, 225.244, and 225.245 to read

as follows:

Sec. 225.243. PETTY OFFICER BILLY MACHEN BRIDGE. (a) The

Farm-to-Market Road 852 bridge crossing Lake Gilmer in Upshur

County is designated as the Petty Officer Billy Machen Bridge. 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

Petty Officer Billy Machen Bridge and any other

appropriate information; and

(2) erect a marker at each end of the bridge.

Sec. 225.244. MOLLY MULLENS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. (a) The

portion of U.S. Highway 287 in Wilbarger County between its

intersection with County Road 111 and County Road 132 East is

designated as the Molly Mullens 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 Molly Mullens 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.

Sec. 225.245. TROOPER KEVIN RAMIREZ VASQUEZ MEMORIAL

HIGHWAY. (a) The portion of State Highway 302 in Ector County

between its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 2019 and the

Ector-Winkler County line is designated as the Trooper Kevin

Ramirez Vasquez Memorial Highway.

(b) Subject to Section 225.021(c), the department shall:

(1) design and construct markers indicating the

designation as the Trooper Kevin Ramirez Vasquez 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 intent 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.