SRC-ARR H.B. 1425 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1425
By: Staples (Nixon)
Infrastructure
5/10/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Under current law, if a traffic offense is committed in a construction or
maintenance work zone when workers are present, the imposed fines are
doubled. However, a statement that workers were present when the offense
was committed is not required to appear on any written appearance notice.
H.B. 1425 would provide that an offense committed in a construction zone or
maintenance work zone is  punishable by a fine from $2 to $400. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1425 provides that an offense committed in a construction
zone or maintenance work zone is  punishable by a fine from $2 to $400. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 472.022(d), Transportation Code, to provide that
an offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by fine of not
less than $1 or more than $200, except that if the offense is committed in
a construction or maintenance work zone when workers are present and any
written notice to appear issued for the offense states on its face that
workers were present when the offense was committed, the offense is a
misdemeanor punishable by fine of not less than $2 or more than $400. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 472.022(e)(2), Transaction Code, to redefine
"construction or maintenance work zone." 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 542.404(a), Transportation Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 729.004(b), Transportation Code, to make
conforming changes.  

SECTION 5. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 7. Emergency clause.