TWT S.B. 161 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


TRANSPORTATION
S.B. 161
By: Lindsay (Elkins)
4-16-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Currently, Texas law does not authorize a speed limit of 70 miles per hour
on toll roads in Harris County. 

PURPOSE

S.B. 161 authorizes a commissioners court in counties with a population of
more than 2.8 million to establish a speed limit of not more than 70 miles
per hour on any part of a highway of that county that is a limited-access
or controlled-access highway, regardless of where the part of the highway
is located. 

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 Sec. 545.355, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection
(c) to allow a commissioners court of a county with a population of more
than 2.8 million to establish from the results of an engineering and
traffic investigation a speed of not more than 70 miles per hour on any
part of a highway of that county that is a limited-access or
controlled-access highway, regardless of the location of the part of the
highway. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause. Effective upon passage.