House Bill 546

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO DESIGNATE A CERTAIN PORTION OF U.S. HIGHWAY 49 IN COVINGTON COUNTY AS THE "STATE TROOPER RALPH NEWELL MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO AMEND SECTION 65-3-71.35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REDESIGNATE "BOBBY 'BUBBA' WELLS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" AS "STATE TROOPER BOBBY 'BUBBA' WELLS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; TO DESIGNATE A CERTAIN BRIDGE IN CALHOUN COUNTY THAT SPANS THE SKUNA RIVER AS THE "MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART, DEPARTMENT OF MISSISSIPPI, MEMORIAL BRIDGE"; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MAY AUTHORIZE THE KATRINA VOLUNTEERS MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN COMMITTEE, AT THE COMMITTEE'S OWN EXPENSE, TO CONSTRUCT, LOCATE AND MAINTAIN ON PROPERTY OF THE WELCOME CENTER NEAR I-10 IN WESTERN HANCOCK COUNTY A FOUNTAIN AND MEMORIAL IN RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION OF THE VOLUNTEERS WHO ASSISTED THE CITIZENS OF MISSISSIPPI IN RECOVERING FROM THE DESTRUCTION AND IN THE REBUILDING EFFORTS FOLLOWING HURRICANE KATRINA; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) That portion of U.S. Highway 49 in Covington County beginning one (1) mile south of its intersection with Mississippi Highway 35 and extending northwesterly for two (2) miles is designated and shall be known as the "State Trooper Ralph Newell Memorial Highway."

(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of highway described in subsection (1) of this section.

SECTION 2. Section 65-3-71.35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

65-3-71.35. (1) That portion of Interstate Highway 55 beginning at mile marker 277 and extending northerly to the Mississippi/Tennessee state line is designated and shall be known as the "State Trooper Bobby 'Bubba' Wells Memorial Highway."

(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching such highway.

SECTION 3. (1) That bridge on Mississippi Highway 9 in Calhoun County that spans the Skuna River is designated and shall be known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart, Department of Mississippi, Memorial Bridge."

(2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate plaques at each end of the bridge described in subsection (1) of this section, and suitable markers along and approaching the bridge, reflecting its name.

SECTION 4. The Mississippi Transportation Commission, in its discretion, by order duly adopted and entered upon its official minutes, may authorize the Katrina Volunteers Memorial Fountain Committee, acting under board approved sponsorship of the Diamondhead Continuing Education, Inc., and at its own expense, to design, construct and maintain at a location approved by the commission on property of the welcome center near I-10 in western Hancock County, a fountain and suitable memorial in recognition and appreciation of the thousands of volunteers who donated their time and money to assist the citizens of Mississippi in recovering from the destruction and in the rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.