BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 1925

79R12482 DWS-F                                                                                              By: Driver (Brimer)

Transportation & Homeland Security

5/19/2005

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Reduced speed limit signs in construction and maintenance work zones on highways serve to regulate traffic and alert drivers to situations where caution is necessary for the safety of both vehicle occupants and construction workers.  Placement of the signs where work is not on-going is an unnecessary impediment to the free flow of traffic.  It may also encourage drivers to disregard all reduced speed limit/work zone signs, including those placed where a hazard exists or workers are present.  H.B. 1925 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to remove or cover these signs when no hazard exists that dictates the need for a restricted speed limit.

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 Subchapter K, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, by adding Section 201.907, as follows:

Sec.  201.907.  REMOVING OR COVERING SIGNS IN CONSTRUCTION OR MAINTENANCE WORK ZONE.  (a)  Defines "construction or maintenance work zone."

(b)  Requires the Texas Department of Transportation to remove or cover or require the removal or covering of a sign the restricts the speed limit in a construction or maintenance work zone during any period when no hazard exists that dictates the need for a restricted speed limit.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2005.