SRC-JBJ S.B. 1511 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1511
77R3168 DWS-DBy: Lucio
Criminal Justice
5/7/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the theft of road signs is not uncommon and in some cases can
results in traffic accidents.  As proposed, S.B. 1511 raises the penalty
for such an offense to a Class B misdemeanor if the theft causes injury or
property damage to another person and adds provisions prohibiting the
recycling of certain signs or signals. 

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 544.005, Transportation Code, to provide that if
a person other than the person committing the offense suffers property
damage or bodily injury as a result of an offense under Subsection (a),
instead of the penalty provided by Section 542.401, the offense is a Class
B misdemeanor. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 544, Transportation Code, by adding Section
544.0051, as follows: 

Sec. 544.0051.  RECYCLING OF TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICE OR RAILROAD SIGN OR
SIGNAL.  Defines "recycler."  Prohibits a person, except as otherwise
provided by this section, from selling a traffic-control device or railroad
sign or signal to a recycler. Prohibits a recycler, except as provided by
Subsection (c), from recycling all or part of the material in a
traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal.  Provides that this
section does not apply to a traffic-control device or railroad sign or
signal sold or recycled by a governmental entity as permitted by law. 
 
SECTION 3.  Makes application of this Act prospective.
 
SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.