TWT S.B. 1016 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


TRANSPORTATION
S.B. 1016
By: Ogden (Roman)
5-1-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Currently, the Transportation Code allows the governing body of a
municipality to hold a public hearing to consider prima facie speed limits
on highways near public and private elementary and secondary schools.
However, certain state highway systems may not be regulated by municipal
authorities. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1016 adds public and private institutions of higher
education to the list of schools on which a municipality, county
commissioners court or the Texas Transportation Commission is allowed to
hold a hearing to consider prima facie speed limits. 

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 545.357, Transportation Code, as follows:

 (a) Requires the governing body in which an institution of higher
education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, among other
schools, is located, to hold a public hearing to consider prima facie
speed limits on a highway near the school or institution of higher
education.  

 (b) Requires commissioners court to hold a public hearing at the request
of an institution of higher education regarding the prima facie speed
limit on a county road within 500 feet of an elementary or secondary
school or institution of higher education. 

 (c) Cities and counties can hold one public hearing for all schools in
its jurisdiction. 

 (d) Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission to hold an annual
public hearing, on request, to consider prima facie speed limits near
elementary or secondary schools or institutions of higher education.  

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.