BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 374

By: Carona

Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Technology to enforce compliance with posted speed limits with the use of cameras is available. Some cities have begun to use such technology or have examined the possibility of doing so. H.B. 922, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007 prohibited municipalities from using cameras for this purpose. Section 542.2035, Transportation Code, provides that a municipality may not implement or operate an automated traffic control system for the purpose of enforcing compliance with posted speed limits.

S.B. 374 prohibits a county and the Department of Public Safety from using automated traffic control systems to enforce compliance with posted speed limits.

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

S.B. 374 amends the Transportation Code to include a county in the prohibition against 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.

S.B. 374 prohibits the Department of Public Safety from implementing or operating an automated traffic control system for the purpose of enforcing compliance with posted speed limits and requires the attorney general to enforce this prohibition. The bill defines "automated traffic control system."

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.