SRC-AMY S.B. 660 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 660
78R4712 DWS-FBy: Ogden
Infrastructure Development and Security
2/28/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas law provides that a misdemeanor violation of a motor
vehicle speed limit is punishable by a fine of not less than $1 or more
than $200.  Exceeding an applicable speed limit by 25 miles per hour or
more can significantly increase the danger to the community.  As proposed,
S.B. 660 provides that a person exceeding an applicable speed limit by 25
miles per hour or more must pay a fine of not less than $200 and not more
than $500. A portion of the revenue generated by this increased fine must
be used to implement the traffic safety program established under the
Texas Traffic Safety Act. 

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 Chapter 545H, Transportation Code, by adding Section
545.366, as follows: 

Sec. 545.366.  PENALTY: EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT BY 25 MILES PER HOUR OR
MORE.  Requires that a person exceeding an applicable speed limit by 25
miles per hour or more pay a fine of not less than $200 and not more than
$500.  Requires a municipality or county, at the end of its fiscal year,
to send $200 per fine collected under this section to the comptroller for
deposit in the state treasury, notwithstanding Section 542.402(a).
Provides that the deposits made under this section may be used only to
implement the traffic safety program established under Chapter 723 (Texas
Traffic Safety Act), Transportation Code. 

SECTION 2.  (a) and (b) Make application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.