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SB 159

ROADS/HIGHWAYS: Designates a portion of Louisiana Highway 17 in Franklin Parish as the "Sergeant Rogelio "Roy" Gonzalez, Jr. Memorial Highway". (8/1/26) (EN +$1,500 SG EX See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stewart Cathey and 9 co-sponsors

Designates a portion of LA Highway 17 in Franklin Parish as the Sergeant Rogelio “Roy” Gonzalez, Jr. Memorial Highway, with signs funded locally or privately up to $750 each.

Effective date 8/1/2026.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 159

Summary: SB 159 (2026) – Designation of a Memorial Highway in Franklin Parish, Louisiana

Purpose and Intent

  • Designates a specific portion of Louisiana Highway 17 in Franklin Parish as the “Sergeant Rogelio ‘Roy’ Gonzalez, Jr. Memorial Highway.”
  • The designation is intended to honor the memory of a local law enforcement officer, Sergeant Rogelio “Roy” Gonzalez, Jr.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: Designation
    • The segment of Louisiana Highway 17 beginning at the intersection with Lawson Road and ending at Louisiana Highway 4, located entirely within Franklin Parish, is designated as the “Sergeant Rogelio ‘Roy’ Gonzalez, Jr. Memorial Highway.”
    • This designation primarily affects the naming of the roadway for signage purposes.
  • Section 2: Signage and Costs
    • The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is tasked with erecting and maintaining signs recognizing the designation.
    • Signage is allowed only if local or private funds cover DOTD’s actual costs for materials, fabrication, mounting posts, and installation.
    • The per-sign cost cannot exceed $750.
    • DOTD must ensure signs are erected and maintained in accordance with the designation, subject to the availability of designated funding.

Affected Parties

  • Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD): Responsible for signage placement and ongoing maintenance, contingent on funding.
  • Local/Private Entities: Responsible for providing funds to cover the DOTD’s costs, up to the specified cap, to enable signage.
  • General Public: motorists and residents using Highway 17 in Franklin Parish will see the memorial designation on signage.

Effective Date and Procedural Details

  • Effective Date: August 1, 2026.
  • Amendments: Senate amendments corrected the proposed highway name in the bill (as noted in the committee amendment summary).
  • Legislative History Highlights:
    • Sponsored by multiple legislators (Senator Womack and several House/Senate co-sponsors).
    • Passed favorable in the Senate (11-0) and moved through the normal committee process.
    • Final designation remains subject to local/private funding for signage costs.

Practical Implications

  • The designation is primarily ceremonial and commemorative, with the tangible impact limited to the installation of roadway signs.
  • Funding is explicitly constrained to private or local sources, ensuring state funds are not used for the signage cost beyond the designated limit.
  • The signage cost cap means the number of signs and their sizes may be limited by available funds.

Summary

SB 159 designates a stretch of Louisiana Highway 17 in Franklin Parish as the “Sergeant Rogelio ‘Roy’ Gonzalez, Jr. Memorial Highway,” with DOTD responsible for erecting and maintaining commemorative signs purchased through local or private funding, not to exceed $750 per sign. The measure becomes effective August 1, 2026, and includes a mechanism to correct the highway name via Senate amendments.

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

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