By Capelo                                             H.B. No. 3597
         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the authority of a municipality to alter speed limits.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 545, Transportation Code,
 1-5     Section 545.356 is amended to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 545.356.  Authority of Municipality to Alter Speed
 1-7     Limits. (a)  The governing body of a municipality, for a highway or
 1-8     part of a highway in the municipality, including a highway of the
 1-9     state highway system, has the same authority to alter by ordinance
1-10     prima facie speed limits from the results of an engineering and
1-11     traffic investigation as the Texas Transportation Commission on an
1-12     officially designated or marked highway of the state highway
1-13     system.  The governing body of a municipality may not modify the
1-14     rule established by Section 545.351(a) or establish a speed limit
1-15     of more than 60 miles per hour.
1-16           (b)  The governing body of a municipality, for a highway or
1-17     part of a highway in the municipality, including a highway of the
1-18     state highway system, has the same authority to alter prima facie
1-19     speed limits from the results of an engineering and traffic
1-20     investigation as the commission for an officially designated or
1-21     marked highway of the state highway system, when the highway or
1-22     part of the highway is under repair, construction, or maintenance.
1-23     A municipality may not modify the rule established by Section
 2-1     545.351(a) or establish a speed limit of more than 60 miles per
 2-2     hour.
 2-3           (c)  A prima facie speed limit that is altered by the
 2-4     governing body of a municipality under Subsection (b) is effective
 2-5     when the governing body erects signs giving notice of the new limit
 2-6     and at all times or at other times as determined.
 2-7           (d)  The governing body of a municipality, for a highway or
 2-8     part of a highway in the municipality, including a highway of the
 2-9     state highway system, has the authority to temporarily lower, using
2-10     speed zone speed limit flashers, the prima facie speed limits on an
2-11     officially designated or marked highway of the state highway system
2-12     for sporting events or other major attractions.  The governing body
2-13     of a municipality may not modify the rule established by Section
2-14     545.351(a) or establish a speed limit of more than 60 miles per
2-15     hour.
2-16           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-17     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-18     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
2-19     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-20     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.