BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 1052

80R8690 JD-F                                                                                                By: Callegari (Carona)

Transportation & Homeland Security

5/12/2007

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law authorizes Texas cities to install cameras at roadway intersections to monitor motorists' compliance with traffic light signals.  These cameras, commonly referred to as red light cameras, may be used to identify and issue citations to motorists that fail to comply with traffic light signals.  State law does not require that municipalities using red light cameras notify drivers regarding a camera's use at a given intersection.

H.B. 1052 requires that cities using red light cameras post signs regarding the use of red light cameras on roadways leading towards intersections where such cameras are in use.

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 544, Transportation Code, by adding Section 544.012, as follows:

Sec. 544.012.  NOTIFICATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC TRAFFIC MONITORING SYSTEM.  (a)  Defines "photographic traffic monitoring system" and "recorded image."

(b)  Provides that this section applies only to a municipality that pursuant to an ordinance of the municipality employs a photographic traffic monitoring system to enforce compliance with the instructions of traffic-control signals in the municipality.

(c)  Requires the municipality to install signs along each roadway that leads to an intersection at which a photographic traffic monitoring system is in active use.  Sets forth certain requirements with which the signs must comply.

(d)  Prohibits a municipality that fails to comply with Subsection (c) from imposing or attempting to impose a civil or administrative penalty against a person, including the owner of a motor vehicle or an operator, for a failure to comply with the instructions of a traffic-control signal located at the applicable intersection.

(e)  Provides that Subsection (d) does not prohibit a peace officer from arresting or issuing a citation and notice to appear to a person whom the officer observes to have failed to comply with the instructions of a traffic-control signal located at the intersection.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2007.