TWT H.B. 390 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


TRANSPORTATION
H.B. 390
By: Mowery, et al
4-4-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Currently, Texas has differential speed limits between trucks and
automobiles.  This speed limit differential mandates that trucks travel at
up to a 15 mph slower rate than other vehicular traffic using the same
routes. A 1994 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(Traffic Safety Facts) shows trucks which travel at 15 mph below the
prevailing speed of other vehicles have crash involvement rates nine times
higher than those that travel at the same speed as other traffic. 

States that surround Texas have posted speed limits for trucks as follows:
Arkansas - 65 mph; Louisiana - 65 mph; New Mexico - 65 mph; Oklahoma - 70
mph.  These states do not have differential speeds for trucks and
automobiles.  

PURPOSE

To remove differential speed limits on Texas highways and provide uniform
speed limits for all vehicles, except school buses and vehicles towing
house trailers with a weight in excess of 4,500 pounds.  

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 Section 545.352(b), Transportation Code, by deleting "a
passenger car or motorcycle" from Subsection (b)(2) so the 70/65 miles per
hour daytime/nighttime speed limit would apply to all vehicles on highways
numbered by the state or the United States which are outside an urban
district, including farm- and ranch-to market roads. 

 Amends  Section 545.352, Transportation Code, by deleting "a passenger
car or motorcycle" from Subsection (b)(3) so the 60/55 miles per hour
daytime/nighttime speed limit would apply to all vehicles on highways
outside an urban district and not a highway numbered by the state or the
United States. 

 Amends  Section 545.352, Transportation Code, by removing language in
Subsection (b)(5) which set differing speed limits for trucks and like
vehicles. Subdivision (5) sets lower speed limits for school buses (50 mph
on a highway other than an interstate and 55 mph if on an interstate).  

SECTION 2.  In addition to substantive changes made by this Act, this Act
conforms Section 545.352(b), Transportation Code, to Section 1, Chapter
295, Acts of the Legislature, Regular Session, 1995. 

SECTION 3.Effective Date -- September 1, 1997.  Makes the Act prospective.

SECTION 4.    Emergency Clause.