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.