75R8999 DWS-D By Driver, et al. H.B. No. 297 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 297: By Siebert C.S.H.B. No. 297 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to certain signs controlling use of traffic lanes. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Chapter 544, Transportation Code, is amended by 1-5 adding Section 544.011 to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 544.011. LANE USE SIGNS. If, on a highway having more 1-7 than one lane with vehicles traveling in the same direction, the 1-8 department or a local authority places a sign that directs slower 1-9 traffic to travel in a lane other than the farthest left lane, the 1-10 sign must read "left lane for passing only." 1-11 SECTION 2. (a) Before January 1, 1998, the Texas 1-12 Transportation Commission shall amend the sign manual adopted under 1-13 Section 544.001, Transportation Code, to comply with Section 1-14 544.011, Transportation Code, as added by this Act. 1-15 (b) This Act does not require the Texas Department of 1-16 Transportation or a local authority to replace or repaint a sign. 1-17 Section 544.011, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, applies 1-18 only to a sign originally placed on a highway on or after the 1-19 effective date of this Act or replaced or repainted on or after the 1-20 effective date of this Act for a reason other than compliance with 1-21 Section 544.011, Transportation Code. 1-22 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. 1-23 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the 1-24 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-1 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-2 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-3 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.