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.