Committee advances bill to name highway for Specialist Levi K. Hoover

The House Transportation Committee on an unspecified date voted to report House Bill 4089 with recommendation to the full House, advancing a proposal to name a stretch of highway for Specialist Levi K. Hoover.

Representative Schutte, sponsor of the legislation, described Hoover’s service history and family background and introduced Hoover’s sister, Danielle Hoover, who testified in support. "And, I I just think this, this bill is a really wonderful opportunity to, highlight and honor a veteran," Danielle Hoover said during testimony.

The bill would designate the highway to honor Specialist Hoover, who, according to testimony, enlisted in February 2005, served with an airborne division based at Fort Bragg and was deployed to Iraq. The sponsor said Specialist Hoover was 23 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Representative Schutte also noted Hoover graduated from Dow High School in Midland and earned a degree in criminal justice from Delta College.

Committee members asked about logistics and costs. Representative Wilbrock asked whether private funds for signage had been raised; the sponsor said community groups in Midland had expressed willingness to support the signage if the bill becomes law. The committee record does not specify a statutory citation for signage funding; committee members treated the funding requirement as a standard administrative detail.

Vice Chair Alexander moved to report House Bill 4089 with recommendation. The clerk called the roll and the motion carried by recorded tally: 16 yeas, 0 nays, 0 passes. The committee’s action was recorded as reporting the bill with recommendation for further consideration by the full House.