BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.B. 321
By: Rabuck
03-29-95
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

Current law limits school buses to 50 mph even on interstate
highways.  The
normal flow of traffic is dangerous for those trying to maintain 50
mph.  Several
school bus drivers and transportation personnel suggest that 55 mph
on interstate
highways would significantly increase safety for all concerned.

PURPOSE

This bill amends section 166(a), Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on
Highways (Article 6701d, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) to increase
the current speed limit for buses from 50 miles per hour to 55
miles per hour on interstate highways.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Existing speed limits on various roads for various
vehicles.  Paragraph 5-"c" is
amended from current 50 mph to 55 mph on an interstate highway, as
defined by Section 144 of this Act, and fifty (50) miles per hour
for any school bus on another highway.

SECTION 2.  Offense only after Act takes effect.

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 1995.

SECTION 4.  Emergency legislation.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The introduced version of H.B. 321 would increase the speed limit
for school buses from 50 miles per hour to 55 miles per hour. 
C.S.H.B. would increase the speed limit for school buses from 50
miles per hour to 55 miles per hour only on interstate highways,
and 50 miles per hour for any school bus on any other highway.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

Pursuant to a public notice posted on March 16, 1995, at 5:53 p.m.,
the House Committee on Transportation met in a public hearing on
Wednesday, March 22, 1995 at 2:00 p.m. in Room E1.014 of the
Capitol Extension and was called to order at 6:54 p.m. after the
rules were suspended on the House floor to meet in public hearing
after the posted time, by the Chair, Representative Clyde
Alexander.  The Chair laid out H.B. 321 and recognized
Representative Rabuck to explain H.B. 321.  There were no witnesses
in support of, or in opposition to H.B. 321.  The Chair left H.B.
321 pending before the Committee.  Pursuant to a public notice
posted on March 23, 1995, at 7:36 p.m., the House Committee on
Transportation met in a public hearing on Wednesday, March 29, 1995
at 2:00 p.m. in Room E1.014 of the Capitol Extension and was called
to order at 2:10 p.m. by the Chair, Representative Clyde Alexander. 
The Chair laid out H.B. 321 by Rabuck which was pending before the
Committee.  Representative Bosse laid out the Committee substitute
and without objection the substitute was adopted.  Representative
Bosse moved that the Committee report H.B. 321, as substituted, to
the full House with the recommendation that it do pass.  The motion
prevailed by the following vote: Ayes (6), Nayes (0), Absent (3),
Present not voting (0).