BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 922
80R12896 ACP-D By: Truitt (Carona)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Advances in digital photography and improved electronic controls over radar equipment have combined to allow municipalities to issue speeding tickets without the direct interaction of a police officer with the driver of the speeding vehicle. Several communities have begun issuing speeding tickets without making any attempt to pull the driver over to deliver the citation. Using digital equipment, a speeding vehicle is detected and photographed, and using the vehicle's license number as identification, a speeding ticket is issued to the car's registered owner.
H.B. 922 prohibits a municipality from implementing or operating an automated traffic control system with respect to a highway or street under its jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing compliance with posted speed limits. This bill requires the attorney general to enforce this Act, and defines "automated traffic control system."
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 542, Transportation Code, by adding Section 542.2035, as follows:
Sec. 542.2035. LIMITATION ON MUNICIPALITIES. (a) Prohibits a municipality from implementing or operating an automated traffic control system with respect to a highway or street under its jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing compliance with posted speed limits. Requires the attorney general to enforce this subsection.
(b) Defines "automated traffic control system."
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.