SRC-LBB H.B. 1527 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1527
By: Harper-Brown (Shapiro)
Infrastructure Development and Security
5/16/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is no specific provision or direction to motorists
regarding actions to be taken if they approach a traffic signal with no
indications displayed.  Loss of power at a traffic signal is a fairly rare
event, but it can cause significant congestion during rush hour
conditions.  There is a general misunderstanding of the appropriate
actions to take when approaching an intersection with no indications, and
this confusion can lead to collisions in the intersection resulting in
injury and property damage. H.B. 1527 requires an operator of a vehicle
facing a traffic-control signal that does not display any indication to
treat the traffic-control signal as a stop sign. 

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 544.007, Transportation Code, by adding
Subsection (i) to require an operator of a vehicle facing a
traffic-control signal that does not display an indication in any of the
signal heads to stop as provided by Section 544.010 as if the intersection
had a stop sign. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 545.151(a), Transportation Code, by separating
Subdivision (A) from Subsection (a)(1) and adding Subdivision (B) to
require that an operator approaching an intersection with a
traffic-control signal that does not display any indication in any of the
signal heads, after stopping, proceed when the intersection can be safely
entered without interference or collision with traffic using a different
street or roadway. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.