HBA-MPA H.B. 2541 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2541
By: Hupp
Transportation
7/14/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 76th Legislature, the Texas Department of Transportation had
the authority to lower speed limits in construction zones and double the
traffic fines for violations of those speed limits. Because of the reduced
speed  limit and increased fines, drivers should have been notified of
exactly where the construction zone began and ended.  H.B. 2541 amends the
definition of  "construction or maintenance work zone" to state that such a
zone, must have signs indicating where the zone begins and ends. 

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(e)(2), Transportation Code, to provide
that a "construction or maintenance work zone" means a portion of highway
or street that is marked by signs indicating that it is a construction or
maintenance work zone and indicating where the zone begins and ends, rather
than is marked by one or more signs. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.