SRC-AXB, JBJ H.B. 3328 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3328
By: Gallego (Madla)
State Affairs
5/14/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, 70 miles per hour is the speed limit for the 77,042 miles of
state-maintained highway. Most of the highway miles run through flat,
sparsely populated areas.  Ten western states with similar landscapes and
population densities, including the surrounding states of New Mexico,
Oklahoma, and Arizona, have already set their speed limits at 75 miles per
hour.  H.B. 3328 would raise the speed limit on Texas highways from 70 to
75 miles per hour. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3328 raises the speed limit on Texas highways from 70 to
75 miles per hour. 

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 545.352, Transportation Code, by amending
Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (e), to provide that 75 miles, rather
than 70 miles, per hour in daytime and 65 miles per hour  in daytime is a
lawful speed for a passenger car, motorcycle, or other specified motor
vehicle on a highway numbered by the state or the United States outside of
an urban district, including a farm-to-market or ranch-to-market road,
unless a special hazard exists that requires a slower speed for compliance
with Section 545.351(b).  

SECTION 2.  Authorizes the speed limit on a highway that has a speed limit
of 70 miles per hour in the daytime and 65 miles an hour in nighttime on
the effective date of this Act to be increased only if the Texas Department
of Transportation determines that the increase is appropriate on that
highway or portion of highway. 

SECTION 3.  Sets forth provisions for the increase of a certain speed limit
by the Texas Department of Transportation. 

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage.  
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5.  Emergency clause.