BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2048

By: Krause

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of toll-project workers, as well as drivers, due to the lack of an applicable "move-over" requirement for vehicles operated in connection with toll project entities. There have been calls to include these vehicles among those triggering the requirement for an operator approaching the vehicle to slow down or vacate the lane closest to the vehicle. H.B. 2048 seeks to address this issue by providing these "move-over" protections for vehicles operated in connection with toll project entities.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 2048 amends the Transportation Code to include a vehicle operated by or pursuant to a contract with a toll project entity and using visual signals that comply with certain lighting standards and specifications among the vehicles that trigger an offense for the operator of another vehicle who, on approaching the vehicle, fails to slow to a specified speed or vacate the lane closest to the vehicle when driving on a highway with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the vehicle, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.