HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/CS/HB 21 Transportation Facility Designations
SPONSOR(S): Infrastructure Strategies Committee, Transportation & Modals Subcommittee, Sirois and
others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: SB 720
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Transportation & Modals Subcommittee 18 Y, 0 N, As CS Lewis Hinshelwood
2) Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations 15 Y, 0 N Hicks Davis
Subcommittee
3) Infrastructure Strategies Committee 20 Y, 0 N, As CS Lewis Harrington
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
State law authorizes legislative designations of transportation facilities, such as bridges, interchanges, or
portions of roads, for honorary or memorial purposes or to distinguish a particular facility. Legislative
designations do not change the official names of the facilities and do not require local governments and private
entities to change street signs, mailing addresses, or 911 emergency telephone system listings to account for
the designations. The Department of Transportation (DOT) may not erect the markers for each designation
unless the appropriate city or county commission enacts a resolution supporting the designation.
The bill creates 16 designations for various transportation facilities across the state and directs DOT to erect
suitable markers for each designation.
The bill will have an insignificant negative fiscal impact to the State Transportation Trust Fund associated with
erecting suitable markers for the above designations. The cost can be absorbed within DOT’s existing
resources.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2023.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
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 FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Present Situation
Transportation Facility Designations
Under current law, the Legislature may designate a transportation facility, such as a bridge,
interchange, or portion of a road, for honorary or memorial purposes or to distinguish a particular
facility. Legislative designations do not officially change the existing names of the facilities and do not
require local governments or private entities to change street signs, mailing addresses, or 911
emergency telephone-number system listings to account for the designations.1
Regarding the naming of state buildings and other facilities, state law provides that except as
specifically provided by law, state buildings, roads, bridges, parks, recreational complexes, and other
similar facilities may not be named for a living person.2
Road Markers
When the Legislature establishes road or bridge designations, the Department of Transportation (DOT)
is required to place a marker at each terminus or intersection of the highway segment or bridge
designated and may erect other markers it deems appropriate for the designated transportation facility. 3
Markers may not be erected until the appropriate city or county commission passes a resolution in
support of the particular designation. Additionally, if the designated facility is located in multiple cities or
counties, each affected local government must pass a resolution in support of the designation before
DOT can install the markers.4
Effect of the Bill
The bill requires DOT to erect suitable markers for each of the following designations.
Deputy Sheriff Michael Hartwick
The bill designates the portion of I-275 between mile markers 30 and 31 in Pinellas County as “Deputy
Sheriff Michael Hartwick Memorial Highway.”
Deputy Sheriff Michael Hartwick served with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for 19 years. On
September 22, 2022, Deputy Hartwick was fatally struck by a construction front-end loader truck while
working an overnight assignment directing traffic for construction work on I-275.5
Sgt. Maj. Thomas Richard “Ric” Landreth
The bill designates the portion of S.R. 87 between E. Bay Boulevard (mile post 2.182) and Bob Tolbert
Road (mile post 6.308) in Santa Rosa County as "Sgt. Maj. Thomas Richard 'Ric' Landreth Memorial
Highway."
Sergeant Major Thomas Richard “Ric” Landreth, Retired U.S. Army, was born on April 1, 1957, at Eglin
Air Force Base and grew up in the Holley area. He had over 30 years of military service, including
deployments to Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq, while serving in the U.S.
Army Special Ops Delta Force until his retirement in 2005.6 During his tour in Somalia, Sergeant Major
1 S. 334.071(1), F.S.
2 S. 267.062(1), F.S.
3 S. 334.071(2), F.S.
4 S. 334.071(3), F.S.
5 Officer Down Memorial Page, Deputy Sheriff Michael Hartwick , https://www.odmp.org/officer/26387-deputy-sheriff-
michael-hartwick (last visited Jan. 5, 2023).
6 Alex Miller, Part of State Road 87 could be named after Black Hawk Down veteran from Santa Rosa County, Pensacola
News Journal (Oct. 14, 2021), https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/santa-rosa/2021/10/14/state-road-87-section-may -
named-after-black-hawk -down-veteran-thomas-richard-ric-landreth/8442350002/ (last visited Mar. 31, 2023).
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 Landreth and his squadron were involved in the Battle of Mogadishu in October of 1993, which is
depicted in the 2001 “Black Hawk Down” movie. He passed away on April 25, 2020, after a brief
illness.7
Army Specialist Zachary L. Shannon
The bill designates the portion of Alternate U.S. 19/Bayshore Boulevard between Orange Street and
Michigan Boulevard in Pinellas County as "SPC Zachary L. Shannon Memorial Highway."
Army Specialist Zachary L. Shannon, a native of Dunedin, FL, gave his life in service to our country on
March 11, 2013, in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash near Kandahar, Afghanistan, while serving
during Operation Enduring Freedom.8 Specialist Shannon was 21-years-old and was one of five U.S.
soldiers who died in the unexplained crash.9
Officer Scott Eric Bell
The bill designates the portion of S.R. 105/Heckscher Drive between New Berlin Road East and
Orahood Lane in Duval County as "Officer Scott Eric Bell Highway."
On October 12, 2007, Officer Scott Eric Bell was killed when a vehicle operated by an intoxicated driver
pulled out in front of his patrol car.10 Officer Bell joined the U.S. Navy after high school and served over
20 years before serving with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for 7 years as a patrolman. 11
Officer Christopher Michael Kane
The bill designates the portion of S.R. 9A/East Beltway 295 between Gate Parkway and Baymeadows
Road in Duval County as "Officer Christopher Michael Kane Highway."
On September 4, 2008, Officer Christopher Michael Kane was killed when his patrol car collided with
the back of a semi carrying construction equipment in a construction zone. 12 Officer Kane served in the
Marine Corp before serving with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for 12 years. 13
Coach Gwendolyn Maxwell
The bill designates the bridge on Howell Drive over the Ribault River in Duval County as "Coach
Gwendolyn Maxwell Bridge to Ribault.”14
Gwendolyn Maxwell, recognized as one of the most successful girls’ track and field coaches in the
history of Florida, was a lifelong educator for 36 years and the track and field coach at Ribault High
School for 20 years.15 Maxwell directed five teams to state titles, was named coach of the year five
times, and was the Florida representative for the national track coach of the year three times. 16 Maxwell
was inducted into the Ribault Athletic Hall of Fame in October, 2018, as well as the Florida Athletics
7 Id.
8 The Fallen Military Times, Honor the Fallen: Army Spc. Zachary L. Shannon, https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-
spc-zachary-l-shannon/6568416 (last visited Feb. 1, 2023).
9 Keyonna Summers, Hundreds honor Dunedin soldier who died in copter crash, Tampa Bay Times (March 24, 2013),
https://www.tampabay.com/news/military/hundreds-honor-dunedin-soldier-who-died-in-copter-crash/ 2111016/ last visited
Feb. 1, 2023).
10 Officer Down Memorial Page, Officer Scott Eric Bell, https://www.odmp.org/officer/19030-officer-scott-eric-bell (last
visited Mar. 1, 2023).
11 Email from Jason Lee Carter, Legislative Aide to Representative Chuck Brannan, Florida House of Representatives,
RE: Officer Biographies HB 893 (Feb. 22, 2023).
12 Officer Down Memorial Page, Officer Christopher Michael Kane, https://www.odmp.org/officer/19540-officer-
christopher-michael-kane (last visited Mar. 1, 2023).
13 Supra note 11.
14 The bridge on Howell Drive over the Ribault River in Duval County is not a part of the state highway system. The bridge
is maintained by the City of Jacksonville.
15 Cole Pepper, Legendary Ribault track coach Gwendolyn Maxwell dies at 86, News4Jax (June 17, 2020),
https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2020/06/18/legendary -ribault-track-coach-gwendolyn-max well-dies-at-86/ (last visited
Jan. 12, 2023).
16 Id.
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 Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1995.17 Maxwell passed away on June 16, 2020, at the age of 86,
after a nearly decade long battle with Alzheimer’s.18
Dr. Sally Ride
The bill designates, upon completion of construction, the new NASA Causeway Bridge on S.R. 405
over the Indian River in Brevard County is designated as “Dr. Sally Ride Memorial Bridge.”
In 1977, Dr. Sally Ride was one of only six women selected for the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration’s (NASA’s) class of 1978. On June 18, 1983, Dr. Ride became the first American woman
in space, and at the age of 32, the youngest American in space as one of five crew members aboard
the space shuttle Challenger STS-7. Dr. Ride returned to space on October 5, 1984, aboard another
shuttle mission, the STS-41G, and continued working for NASA until 1987.19 Dr. Ride was passionate
about improving science and mathematics education and helping young women and girls foster an
interest in science. Dr. Ride passed away on July 23, 2012, after a 17-month battle with pancreatic
cancer at the age of 61.20
Corporal James McWhorter
The bill designates the portion of I-95 between mile markers 380 and 381 in Nassau County as
"Corporal James McWhorter Memorial Highway."
On February 12, 2022, Corporal James McWhorter was killed when his vehicle was struck by an
oncoming pickup truck while he was crossing from the northbound Agricultural Inspection Station on I-
95 to the southbound Agricultural Inspection Station. 21 Corporal McWhorter had served with the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement for 2-1/2
years and was posthumously promoted to Corporal. He was 31 years old at the time of his death and is
survived by his fiancée and four children.22
Rush Limbaugh
The bill designates the portion of Cortez Boulevard between U.S. 41 and S.R. 50/50A in Hernando
County as "Rush Limbaugh Way."
Rush Limbaugh, a Palm Beach, Florida, resident, was a U.S. radio personality and political
commentator.23 Considered a pioneer of AM talk-radio, Mr. Limbaugh hosted “The Rush Limbaugh
Show” for 32 years.24 In February 2020, Former President Donald Trump awarded him the Presidential
Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Mr. Limbaugh passed away on February 17,
2021, at the age of 70, following a battle with advanced lung cancer. 25
17 Gene Frenette, Gwendolyn Maxwell, state championship track coach at Ribault, dies at 86, The Florida Times-Union
(June 17, 2020), https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/06/17/gwendolyn-maxwell-state-
championship-track-coach-at-ribault-dies-at-86/41726449/ (last visited Jan. 12, 2023).
18 Id.
19 National Women’s History Museum, Sally Ride, https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sally-
ride (last visited Jan. 5, 2023).
20 Sally Ride Science at UC San Diego, Dr. Sally Ride, https://sallyridescience.ucsd.edu/about/sallyride/ (last visited Jan.
5, 2023)
21 Officer Down Memorial Page, Corporal James McWhorter, https://www.odmp.org/officer/25942-corporal-james-
mcwhorter (last visited Mar. 31, 2023).
22 Aaron Farrar, Florida agricultural officer who died in Nassau County crash posthumously promoted, News4Jax (Feb.
19, 2022), https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2022/02/19/ homegoing -service-for-florida-agricultural -officer-who-died-
in-nassau-county-crash/ (last visited Mar. 31, 2023).
23 Peter Burke, Conservative radio show host, Palm Beach resident Rush Limbaugh dies at 70, Associated Press (Feb.
17, 2023), https://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/palm-beach/conservative-radio-show-host-palm-
beach-resident-rush-limbaugh-dies -at-70 (last visited Mar. 31, 2023).
24 Oliver Darcy, Rush Limbaugh, conservative media icon, dead at 70 following battle with cancer, CNN Business (Feb.
17, 2023), https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/17/media/rush-limbaugh-obituary/index.html (last visited Mar. 31, 2023).
25 David Folkenflik, Talk Show Host Rush Limbaugh, A Conservative Lodestar, Dies At 70, NPR (Feb. 17, 2021),
https://www.npr.org/2021/02/17/ 926491419/talk-show-host-rush-limbaugh-a-conservative-lodestar-dies-at -70 (last visited
Mar. 31, 2023).
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 Senior Inspector Rita Jane Hall
The bill designates the portion of I-10 between mile markers 222 and 228 in Jefferson County as
"Senior Inspector Rita Jane Hall Memorial Highway."
Senior Inspector Rita Jane Hall spent over 27 years in law enforcement and the protection of citizens of
the State of Florida. She was a police officer for the Tallahassee Police Department and the Monticello
Police Department.26 Within the Department of Corrections, Senior Inspector Hall held the positions of
Fugitive Unit Coordinator, where she is still unsurpassed in her success in apprehending criminals who
had escaped custody, and Senior Inspector for the Office of the Inspector General. Senior Inspector
Hall passed away unexpectedly on December 27, 2018. 27
Michael Scott Williams
The bill designates the portion of U.S. 19 between C.R. 361/Beach Road and C.R. 30/Foley Road in
Taylor County as "Michael Scott Williams Parkway."
On October 31, 2016, Deputy Sheriff Michael Scott Williams was killed when his patrol car collided with
the rear of a logging truck.28 Deputy Williams served with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office for 17
months and had previously served with the Brooksville Police Department. 29
Officer Kevin Valencia
The bill designates the portion of S.R. 435 between Conroy Road and Vineland Road in Orange County
as "Officer Kevin Valencia Memorial Highway."
On March 15, 2021, Officer Kevin Valencia succumbed to complications of gunshot wounds sustained
while responding to a domestic violence disturbance with an armed man holding four children hostage
on June 11, 2018.30 He was awarded a Purple Heart by the Orlando Police Department for his heroic
response. Officer Valencia was 29 at the time of his death and had served with the Orlando Police
Department for three years. He is survived by his wife and two children.31
Deputy Sheriff Eugene Gregory
The bill designates the portion of S.R. 46 between East Lake Mary Boulevard in Seminole County and
the Brevard County line as "Deputy Sheriff Eugene 'Stetson' Gregory Memorial Highway."
On July 8, 1998, Deputy Sheriff Eugene Gregory was shot and killed after responding to a shots-fired
call involving an armed, mentally ill person. Deputy Gregory served the Seminole County Sheriff’s
Office for seven years and was 55 years old at the time of his death.32 Deputy Gregory’s death served
as the inspiration for the Seminole County community and the Sheriff's Office to take a proactive role in
mental health intervention and treatment that continues to this day. 33
Kyle Lee Patterson
The bill designates the portion of S.R. 70/Okeechobee Road between Ideal Holding Road and C.R.
613/Carlton Road in St. Lucie County as "Kyle Lee Patterson Memorial Way."
26 Email from LeAnn Bunton, Legislative Aide to Representative Jason Shoaf, Florida House of Representatives, RE:
Amendment to HB 893 (Mar. 8, 2023).
27 Tallahassee Democrat, Rita Jane Hall, https://www.tallahassee.com/obituaries/tad045823 (last visited Mar. 9, 2023).
28 Officer Down Memorial Page, Deputy Sheriff Michael Scott Williams, https://www.odmp.org/officer/23007-deputy-sheriff-
michael-scott-williams (last visited Mar. 9, 2023).
29 Supra note 26.
30 Officer Down Memorial Page, Police Officer Kevin Andres Valencia, https://www.odmp.org/officer/25187-police-officer-
kevin-andres-valencia (last visited Mar. 31, 2023).
31 Rebecca Turco and Cheryn Stone, "We Shouldn't Be Here" Orlando Police, Family Honor Officer Kevin Valencia,
Spectrum News 13 (Mar. 24, 2021), https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2021/03/24/ funeral-service-to-be-held-
for-orlando-officer-kevin-valencia (last visited Mar. 31, 2023).
32 Officer Down Memorial Page, Deputy Sheriff Eugene Andrew Gregory, https://