A JOINT RESOLUTION designating the Ermal Tackett Memorial Highway in Floyd County.

2025 Regular Session

Designates a 2.7-mile segment of KY Route 979 in Floyd County as the Ermal Tackett Memorial Highway, with signage to be installed within 30 days of the measure's effective date.

to Transportation (H)

#honoraryhighwaydesignations #memorials

Overview

HJR 56 is a joint resolution designating a segment of a state highway in Floyd County as the “Ermal Tackett Memorial Highway.” The measure designates a specific portion of Kentucky Route 979 and requires the Transportation Cabinet to install signage reflecting this honorary designation within 30 days of the resolution’s effective date.

Purpose and Key Provisions

Designation: The Transportation Cabinet shall designate a portion of Kentucky Route 979 in Floyd County, from mile point 15.7 to mile point 18.4, as the “Ermal Tackett Memorial Highway.”

Signage: The Transportation Cabinet must erect appropriate signage recognizing the designation within 30 days after the resolution becomes effective.

Nature of designation: This is an honorary designation; it does not alter the official route number or impact road maintenance, jurisdiction, or funding allocations beyond signage.

Honoree Background

Ermal Tackett (born December 26, 1936) lived in Floyd County and was known for a lifetime of public service and community involvement.

Career highlights include work across various jobs and 17 years as a county magistrate, retiring in 2003.

Remembered for a servant’s heart, accessibility to constituents, and strong Christian faith.

Passed away on April 3, 2022; survived by his wife Nell Davis Tackett and children Sherry Kimbler and Ernie Tackett.

The designation serves to memorialize his service and contributions to the local community.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Primary: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Floyd County residents along KY Route 979.

Local community members and families connected to Ermal Tackett, who may participate in any commemorative events associated with the designation.

No changes to route numbers, traffic rules, or funding purposes are implied beyond signage.

Procedural Status and Timeline

Introduced: November 12, 2024.

Current Status: Referred to House Transportation (H); filed and progressing through committee review.

Notable Actions:

2025-02-19: Introduced in House; to Committee on Committees.
2025-02-25: Referred to Transportation (H) committee.
2025-03-03: Read first time; referred to a House subcommittee (as indicated in the record).

Effective date: The designation becomes effective upon the effective date of the joint resolution; signage must be installed within 30 days of that date.

Fiscal and Administrative Considerations

The bill implies a one-time cost for signage installation and related administrative actions by the Transportation Cabinet. Specific cost figures are not provided in the text.

Administrative action is limited to signage and ceremonial designation; no changes to traffic laws, maintenance responsibilities, or funding streams are anticipated by the resolution.

Bottom Line

HJR 56 would honor Ermal Tackett by naming a short segment of KY Route 979 (15.7 to 18.4 miles) as the Ermal Tackett Memorial Highway, with required signage installed within 30 days of the resolution becoming law. The measure reflects local recognition of Tackett’s public service and community impact and proceeds through the normal House committee process.

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