SRC-MAX S.B. 773 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 773
By: Lindsay
State Affairs
4-17-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

One effect of the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) is a rise of truck volume on NAFTA-related roadways.  The
interaction of these large vehicles with other traffic and on certain
roadways has resulted in the need to examine various countermeasures
including the designation of truck lanes.  This bill authorizes a
municipality to restrict to designated lanes on the highway use of a part
of a highway in the municipality by class of vehicle. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 773 authorizes a municipality to restrict to designated
lanes on the highway use of a part of a highway in the municipality by
class of vehicle. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to a municipality in SECTION 1 (Sec.
545.0651(b), Transportation Code) of this bill.  

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 545B, Transportation Code, by adding Section
545.0651, as follows: 

Sec.  545.0651.  MUNICIPAL RESTRICTION ON USE OF HIGHWAY.  Provides that
this section applies only to a part of highway that is in the designated
state highway system. Authorizes a municipality by ordinance to restrict
to designated lanes on the highway the use of a part of highway in the
municipality by class of vehicle.  Requires the municipality to submit to
the Texas Department of Transportation a description of the proposed
restriction before adopting an ordinance under this section.  Prohibits
the municipality from enforcing the restriction unless certain conditions
are fulfilled.  Authorizes the executive director or the executive
director's designee to suspend or rescind approval under this section
certain reasons.  Requires the Department of Public Safety to erect and
maintain official trafficcontrol devices necessary to implement and
enforce an ordinance adopted and approved under this section.   
 
SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage