By Gallego                                            H.R. No. 1315
         76R18076 WP-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State
 1-2     of Texas, 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, That House Rule
 1-3     13, Section 9(a), be suspended in part as provided by House Rule
 1-4     13, Section 9(f), to enable the conference committee appointed to
 1-5     resolve the differences between the house and senate versions of
 1-6     H.B. No. 3328, relating to speed limits on highways of this state,
 1-7     to consider and take action on the following matters:
 1-8           (1)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(2), is suspended to permit
 1-9     the committee to omit from SECTION 1 of the bill the amendment of
1-10     Section 545.352(b), Transportation Code.
1-11           Explanation:  This change is necessary to retain the limits
1-12     currently set by Section 545.352(b)(2), Transportation Code.
1-13           (2)  House Rule 13, Sections 9(a)(1), (3), and (4), are
1-14     suspended to permit the committee to change and add text in SECTION
1-15     1 of the bill, by changing Subsection (e), Section 545.352,
1-16     Transportation Code, as added by the bill, and adding new
1-17     Subsections (f) and (g), Section 545.352, Transportation Code, to
1-18     read as follows:
1-19           (e)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b), in a county having a
1-20     population of less than 25,000, for a vehicle described by
1-21     Subsection (b)(2), a speed of:
1-22                 (1)  75 miles per hour is lawful on a highway described
1-23     by Subsection (b)(2); or
1-24                 (2)  80 miles per hour is lawful on an interstate
 2-1     highway that runs east to west.
 2-2           (f)  Notwithstanding this section, on a highway or portion of
 2-3     a highway that on September 1, 1999, has a speed limit of 70 miles
 2-4     per hour in daytime and 65 miles per hour in nighttime, the speed
 2-5     limit may be increased as provided by this section only if the
 2-6     department determines that the increase is appropriate on that
 2-7     highway or portion of highway.
 2-8           (g)  Notwithstanding any other law, a vehicle may not exceed
 2-9     70 miles per hour if the vehicle is a truck, other than a light
2-10     truck, or if the vehicle is a truck tractor, trailer, or
2-11     semitrailer, or a vehicle towing a trailer, semitrailer, another
2-12     motor vehicle or towable recreational vehicle.
2-13           Explanation:  This change is necessary to allow only vehicles
2-14     in a county with a population of less than 25,000 to travel 75
2-15     miles per hour in daytime and to prevent trucks from exceeding a
2-16     speed of 70 miles per hour.  It also codifies the provision
2-17     allowing the department to determine if an increased speed limit is
2-18     appropriate.
2-19           (3)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(3), is suspended to permit
2-20     the committee to add text to SECTION 2 of the bill, Section
2-21     545.353(d)(2), Transportation Code, to read as follows:
2-22                 (2)  establish a speed limit of more than 75 [70] miles
2-23     per hour except as provided by Sections 545.352(e), (f), and (g);
2-24     or
2-25           Explanation:  This addition is necessary to give direction to
2-26     the commission in using its discretion in establishing speed limits
2-27     under Section 545.352, Transportation Code.