BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 835 By: Craddick 03-01-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND In January, 1974, the Federal Government instituted a nationwide 55 mph speed limit as an energy conservation measure. In 1987, the limit was raised to 65 mph on rural interstate and highways built to interstate-stem standards. While Texas' statutory speed limits still exceed federal limits, Article 6701d, Section 169B, VTCS, Authorizes the State Highway and Public Transportation Commission to set speed limits that prevail over those in statute, in order to maintain federal funding. A commission change requires a proclamation by the governor, and is effective for only 120 days, except in the case that the commission finds that federal requirements still take precedence. Texas' statutory speed limits, set in Article 6701d, Section 166, VTCS, are 70 mph for any passenger cars or light trucks during the daytime (65 mph at night) on any state or federally numbered highway outside an urban area, and 60 mph for all other vehicles on any highway outside of urban areas. Truck-Tractor combinations and any vehicle hauling trailers or vehicles are restricted to 55 at night. School busses are limited to 50 mph at all times. PURPOSE This bill amends Article 6701d, VTCS, to stipulate the violation by a person of a federally imposed speed limit, as long as it does not exceed the state speed limit, would not be reported to any person or state government entity other than the Department of Public Safety. 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. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Article 6701d, VTCS, by adding Section 169C, which stipulates that the violation by a person of a speed limit imposed under Section 169B, as long as the speed was not greater than had been previously established under Article 6701, Section 166, VTCS, would not be released by the department to any person or other state government entity. SECTION 2. Emergency Clause Effective Date: Upon Passage SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION Pursuant to a public notice posted on February 23, 1995 at 5:22 p.m., the House Committee on Transportation met in a public hearing on Wednesday, March 1, 1995 at 2:00 p.m. in Room E1.014 of the Capitol Extension and was called to order 2:05 p.m. by the Chair, Representative Clyde Alexander. The following person testified as a resource witness on H.B. 835: Bobbie Templeton, Texas Department of Transportation. Representative Siebert moved that the Committee report H.B. 835 favorably without amendments to the full House with the recommendation that it do pass. Representative Bosse seconded the motion. The motion prevailed by a count of Ayes (7), Nayes (0), Absent (2), Present Not Voting (0). SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION