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


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2541
By: Hupp
Transportation
3/29/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation has 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 be notified of exactly where the
construction zone begins and ends.  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 maked by one or more signs. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.