1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to speed limits on state highways.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Section 545.353, Transportation Code, is amended
 1-5     by amending Subsection (d) and by adding Subsections (h) and (i) to
 1-6     read as follows:
 1-7           (d)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), the [The]
 1-8     commission may not:
 1-9                 (1)  modify the rules established by Section
1-10     545.351(b);
1-11                 (2)  establish a speed limit of more than 70 miles per
1-12     hour; or
1-13                 (3)  increase the speed limit for a vehicle described
1-14     by Section 545.352(b)(5).
1-15           (h)  Notwithstanding Section 545.352(b), the commission may
1-16     establish a speed limit of 75 miles per hour in daytime on a part
1-17     of the highway system if:
1-18                 (1)  the commission determines that 75 miles per hour
1-19     in daytime is a reasonable and safe speed for that part of the
1-20     highway system; and
1-21                 (2)  that part of the highway is located in a county
1-22     with a population density of less than 10 persons per square mile.
1-23           (i)  The speed limit authorized by Subsection (h) does not
1-24     apply to:
 2-1                 (1)  trucks, other than light trucks and light trucks
 2-2     pulling a trailer; and
 2-3                 (2)  truck tractors, trailers, and semitrailers.
 2-4           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
 2-5     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
 2-6     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
 2-7     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
 2-8     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 299 was passed by the House on May
         11, 2001, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in
         Senate amendments to H.B. No. 299 on May 24, 2001, by the following
         vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 299 was passed by the Senate, with
         amendments, on May 18, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays
         2, 1 present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  __________________________
                              Date
                    __________________________
                            Governor