SRC-AMY S.B. 1037 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1037
78R1288 MTB-DBy: Wentworth
Infrastructure Development and Security
3/26/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas law allows cities, with Texas Department of
Transportation approval, to prohibit truck traffic from the left lane of a
highway to alleviate congestion and safety issues resulting from
increasing truck traffic.  Houston recently adopted this policy, which
resulted in a 68 percent decrease in accidents overall.  As proposed, S.B.
1037 authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission to restrict, by class
of vehicle, through traffic to two designated lanes on state highways with
controlled access and a minimum of three lanes, excluding frontage roads. 

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 545B, Transportation Code, by adding Section
545.0652, as follows: 

Sec. 545.0652.  STATE RESTRICTION ON USE OF HIGHWAY.  (a) Defines
"highway." 

 (b)  Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) to restrict, by
class of vehicle, through traffic to two designated lanes of a highway, by
resolution or order recorded in its minutes. 

(c) Requires a resolution or order under Subsection (b) adhere to certain
criteria. 

(d) Authorizes TTC to suspend or rescind a resolution or order under
Subsection (b) for certain reasons. 

(e) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation to erect and maintain
official traffic control devices necessary to implement and enforce a
resolution or order adopted and approved under this section. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.