SRC-DPW C.S.S.B. 349 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 349
76R8385 WP-DBy: Nixon
State Affairs
5/3/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law requires vehicles that tow trailers, semitrailers, and
towable recreational vehicles that are less than 20 feet in length to
travel at slower speeds than certain other vehicles with trailers and
passenger cars.  This bill would allow vehicles with trailers under 20 feet
in length to travel at the same speeds as passenger cars and other
vehicles. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 349 establishes speed limits for motor vehicles and
allows certain trailers to travel at posted speed limits. 

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(b), Transportation Code, to provide that
lawful speeds include 70 miles per hour in the daytime on a highway
numbered by this state or the United States outside an urban district, if
the vehicle is, among others, a trailer, semitrailer, or towable
recreational vehicle less than 20 feet in length.  Deletes the state and
federal highway designation requirement for towable recreational vehicles.
Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Prohibits the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) from
replacing a sign to reflect the change made to Section 545.352(b),
Transportation Code, by this Act until replacement would have occurred in
the course of regular maintenance by TxDOT. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.



SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 2. 

Prohibits TxDOT from replacing a sign to reflect the change made to Section
545.352(b), Transportation Code, by this Act until replacement would have
occurred in the course of regular maintenance by TxDOT.