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SJR 68

A JOINT RESOLUTION designating the Johnnie L. Turner Memorial Highway in Harlan County.

2025 Regular Session

Designates a 9.5-mile segment of KY Route 221 in Harlan County as the Johnnie L. Turner Memorial Highway; requires signage within 30 days, honoring Turner’s public service.

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Bill Summary · SJR 68

Summary — SJR 68: Johnnie L. Turner Memorial Highway (Harlan County, KY)

Main purpose

Designate a portion of Kentucky Route 221 in Harlan County as the “Johnnie L. Turner Memorial Highway” to honor the life and public service of Johnnie L. Turner.

Key provisions

  • Designation: The Transportation Cabinet is directed to name the portion of Kentucky Route 221 in Harlan County from mile point 8.9 to mile point 18.4 the “Johnnie L. Turner Memorial Highway.” (This is a 9.5‑mile segment.)
  • Signage: The Transportation Cabinet must erect appropriate signage denoting the designation within 30 days of the resolution’s effective date.

Background on Johnnie L. Turner (as recited in the resolution)

  • Born December 24, 1947, in Harlan County, KY; parents Alonzo and Gladys Hyde Turner.
  • Education: Pine Mountain Settlement School and Red Bird Mission School; B.S. in Accounting (Union College, 1974); J.D. (University of Kentucky College of Law, 1977).
  • Military service: U.S. Army, 1967–1969 (Panama Canal Zone).
  • Career: Practiced law in Harlan County for 46 years; served as Harlan County School Board attorney (20+ years) and City of Cumberland attorney; Kentucky House Representative (District 88, 1999–2002) and Kentucky State Senator (District 29, 2020–2024).
  • Passed away October 22, 2024 following an accident.

Who is affected / impact

  • Direct effect: Primarily ceremonial/honorific. The designation changes only the honorary name of the specified highway segment and requires signage.
  • Administrative: The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is responsible for installing signs; costs are limited to manufacturing/installation of signage. The resolution does not change highway maintenance, traffic laws, or funding formulas.
  • Community: Provides a public recognition of Mr. Turner’s service for residents of Harlan and surrounding counties.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Legislative actions (selected): introduced in early 2025, considered in committee with hearings in April 2025, passed both chambers in April 2025, and enacted April 23, 2025. The Transportation Cabinet must erect signs within 30 days after the resolution’s effective date.
  • Related bill: Companion measure HJR 214.

Note: The source material supplied also included text from an unrelated SJR (recognizing Caribbean American Heritage Month in Alabama). This summary focuses on the Johnnie L. Turner highway designation portion relevant to Harlan County, Kentucky.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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