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.