BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4880

By: Olcott

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current statute, there is no requirement for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to remove reduced speed limit signs promptly after the completion or suspension of a construction project. The bill author has informed the committee, despite these speed limit reductions being necessary to protect the safety of workers, when these signs are left up for extended periods of time when no worker is present due to the completion or suspension of work on a project, a driver could be prompted to ignore or take less seriously the need to operate their vehicle at a reduced speed. H.B. 4880 addresses this issue by requiring TxDOT to remove or require the removal of speed limit restriction signs no later than the third day after work is completed or has been temporarily suspended.

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. 4880 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Transportation to remove or require the removal of a sign that restricts the speed limit in a construction or maintenance work zone not later than the third day after the date the construction or maintenance work is completed or has been temporarily suspended.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.