SRC-SEW H.B. 299 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 299
By: Gallego (Shapleigh)
State Affairs
5/11/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law provides a maximum lawful speed of 70 miles per hour in daytime
for a vehicle on a highway numbered by the state or the United States
outside an urban district. Ten western states with landscapes and
population densities similar to the western part of Texas, including New
Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arizona, allow for a maximum speed limit of 75 miles
per hour.  H.B. 299 allows the Texas Transportation Commission to establish
a speed limit of 75 miles per hour on a part of the highway system located
in a county with a population density of less than 10 persons per square
mile.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 545.353, Transportation Code, by amending
Subsection (d) and by adding Subsection (h), as follows: 

  (d)  Adds a reference to Subsection (h). 

(h)   Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission (commission),
notwithstanding Section 545.352(b), to establish a speed limit of 75 miles
per hour on a part of the highway system under certain conditions. 
   
SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or  September 1, 2001.