BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1365

By: Callegari

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law requires a municipality using photographic traffic monitoring systems, commonly known as "red light cameras," to display a warning sign along a roadway leading to an intersection where such cameras are in use.  H.B. 1365 amends the requirements for red light camera warning signs to allow the placement of a sign between 100 and 750 feet of an intersection at which cameras are in use, require the use of a yellow flashing light on a warning sign, and ensure that the sign complies with Texas Department of Transportation standards.

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

H.B. 1365 amends the Transportation Code to require a sign installed on or after the effective date of the bill indicating the presence of a photographic monitoring system or photographic traffic signal enforcement system at an intersection to have affixed a flashing yellow circular beacon and comply with design and size requirements established by the Texas Department of Transportation.  The bill prohibits the sign from being located more than 750 feet from the intersection.  The bill requires a local entity authorized to enact traffic laws under state law to ensure that a sign installed by the entity before the effective date of the bill complies with the bill's provisions not later than September 1, 2012.  The bill makes nonsubstantive changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.