BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1254

By: Callegari

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law requires cities using photographic traffic monitoring systems, commonly known as "red light cameras," to display signs notifying drivers that cameras are in use.

C.S.H.B. 1254 enhances current notification practices by requiring such a sign to feature a flashing yellow circular beacon and be located not more than 750 feet from an intersection with a red light camera.

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

C.S.H.B. 1254 amends the Transportation Code to add provisions applicable to a photographic traffic monitoring system or a photographic traffic signal enforcement system.  The bill requires each sign installed along a roadway that leads to an intersection at which a system is in active use to be located at least 100 feet but not more than 750 feet from the intersection rather than at least 100 feet from the intersection.  The bill requires the location of each sign to be in accordance with standards established in the sign manual for state highways adopted by the Texas Transportation Commission and removes language allowing the signs to be located according to those standards as an option to the requirement described above.  The bill adds to the requirements that each sign have affixed a flashing yellow circular beacon and comply with design and size requirements established by the Texas Department of Transportation.  The bill requires a municipality or a local authority, as applicable, to ensure that a sign installed before the effective date of the bill complies with the bill's provisions not later than September 1, 2010.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1254 adds a provision not in the original to require a sign indicating the presence of a photographic traffic monitoring system or photographic traffic signal enforcement system to be located not more that 750 feet from the intersection. The substitute differs from the original by requiring the sign to have affixed a flashing yellow circular beacon, whereas the original requires the sign to have affixed yellow or amber flashing caution lights. The substitute adds a provision not in the original to require the sign to comply with design and size requirements established by the Texas Department of Transportation. The substitute adds a provision not in the original to require a municipality or local authority, as applicable, to ensure that a sign installed before the effective date of the bill complies with the bill's requirements not later than September 1, 2010.