HBA-MPM, PDH H.B. 1425 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1425 By: Staples Transportation 8/11/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 76th Legislature, if a traffic offense was committed in a construction or maintenance work zone when workers were present, the imposed fine was doubled. However, a statement that workers were present when the offense was committed was not required to appear on any written appearance notice. H.B. 1425 establishes that a traffic offense committed in a construction or maintenance work zone when workers are present, and about which any written notice to appear issued states on its face that workers were present when the offense was committed, is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine from $2 to $400 (the fine for the same offense, if committed somewhere other than in a construction zone, is $1 to $200). RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 472.022(d), Transportation Code, to provide that a traffic offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $2 or more than $400 if the offense is committed in a construction or maintenance work zone when workers are present and any written notice to appear issued for the offense states on its face that workers were present when the offense was committed. SECTION 2. Amends Section 472.022(e)(2), Transportation Code, to redefine "construction or maintenance work zone" as a portion of a highway or street marked by signs stating "Fines double when workers present," in addition to information indicating that it is a construction and maintenance work zone. Makes a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 3.Amends Section 542.404(a), Transportation Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 4.Amends Section 729.004(b), Transportation Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 5.Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 6.Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 7.Emergency clause.