MAD H.B. 1627 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


ELECTIONS
H.B. 1627
By: Clark
4-22-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Political advertising signs are required by law to have a notice which
states that it cannot be placed in the right-of-way of a highway.  This
statute is found in Section 255.007 of the Election Code, which at
present, incorrectly states that the violation is found in Article 2372cc,
Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, and Article 6674v 7, Revised Statutes.  The
correct reference is to Chapters 392 and 393, Transportation Code. 

PURPOSE

This bill will clean up the language in the present statute to remove the
incorrect reference, thereby eliminating misunderstandings as to the
intent of the law. 

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 255.007, Election Code, by:
 (a)  replacing the reference to Article 2372cc, Vernon's Texas Civil
Statutes, and Article 6674v 7, Revised Statutes with Chapters 392 and 393,
Transportation Code, on the notice that must be written on each political
advertising sign.  The sign would read as follows:  "NOTICE: IT IS A
VIOLATION OF STATE LAW (CHAPTERS 392 AND 393, TRANSPORTATION CODE), TO
PLACE THIS SIGN IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY OF A HIGHWAY; 
 (d)  provides an exception for any sign printed or made before September
1, 1997 that was in compliance with Subsection (a) before September 1,
1997. 
 (e)  Conforming change.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.