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.