BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3558

By: Perez

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the laws requiring stopping at an intersection differ in various statutes. One statute addresses stopping at an intersection with a flashing red light and another addresses stopping at an intersection with a stop sign. H.B. 3558 seeks to clarify the place at which a vehicle needs to stop at an intersection with a stop sign by making the statutory language consistent with a similar statute that relates to a vehicle stopping at an intersection with a flashing signal and clarifying the place at which the operator of a vehicle must stop at an intersection with a stop sign depending on the presence of a clearly marked stop line or crosswalk.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3558 amends the Transportation Code, in the provision establishing where the operator of a motor vehicle must stop at an intersection that has a stop sign but does not have a crosswalk or a clearly marked stop line, to clarify that, in the absence of a crosswalk at the intersection, the location where the operator must stop is the same as that required when there is no clearly marked stop line, which, as provided under current law and retained by the bill, is at the place nearest the intersecting roadway where the operator has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.