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.