BILL ANALYSIS
By: Deshotel
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
As many more cities are putting up traffic-control detectors to monitor traffic, there is some disparity in the way they are calibrated. Currently, all detectors at traffic lights can be calibrated to recognize a motorcycle. However, often times they are not. As a result, those that ride motorcycles have to wait at a red light for an extended period of time, which can be a frustrating experience.
CSHB 1279 requires that certain traffic-actuated detectors be configured to detect motorcycles. It applies only to traffic-actuated lights that allow for a left turn.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
Section 1: CSHB 1279 requires all traffic actuated lights that monitor traffic and allow for a left turn be configured to recognize motorcycles.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2007.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
The substitute changes the language to include all to traffic-actuated lights.
The phrase "designed and installed so that the detector registers" is changed to "capable of registering." The new language further clarifies that the bill applies to current detectors that are capable of detecting motorcycles, and does not require that a new detector be designed and installed to detect motorcycles. If an older model that is not capable of detecting a motorcycle, it is exempt from this legislation.