79R2173 JD-D


By:  Isett                                                        H.B. No. 1347



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the power of a local authority to enforce compliance 
with a traffic-control signal on a highway under its jurisdiction 
by a photographic traffic signal enforcement system.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 542.203, Transportation 
Code, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 542.203.  LIMITATIONS [LIMITATION] ON LOCAL 
AUTHORITIES.
	SECTION 2.  Section 542.203, Transportation Code, is amended 
by adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:
	(d)  A local authority may not implement or operate a 
photographic traffic signal enforcement system with respect to a 
highway under its jurisdiction.  The attorney general shall enforce 
this subsection.
	(e)  In this section, "photographic traffic signal 
enforcement system" means a system that:
		(1)  consists of a camera system and vehicle sensor 
installed to exclusively work in conjunction with an electrically 
operated traffic-control signal;
		(2)  is capable of producing one or more recorded 
photographic or digital images that depict the license plate 
attached to the front or the rear of a motor vehicle that is not 
operated in compliance with the instructions of the traffic-control 
signal; and
		(3)  is designed to enforce compliance with the 
instructions of the traffic-control signal by imposition of a civil 
or administrative penalty against the owner of the motor vehicle.
	SECTION 3.  Section 542.202(b)(3), Transportation Code, is 
repealed.         
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.