BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1097

By: Sheets

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties have expressed concern about drivers being unaware of the speed limit in construction or maintenance work zones. In some cases, the nearest speed limit sign may be miles away. H.B. 1097 seeks to alleviate this problem by placing additional requirements on the signs marking a construction or maintenance work zone.  

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. 1097 amends the Transportation Code, for purposes of statutory provisions relating to an offense of disobeying a traffic warning sign or driving around a barricade, to redefine "construction or maintenance work zone" to mean a portion of a highway or street that, in addition to meeting other specified criteria, is marked by at least one sign indicating the maximum lawful speed.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.