HBA-TBM C.S.H.B. 1191 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 1191
By: Williams
Transportation
3/18/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current state law, the commissioners court of a county has the
authority to adjust the speed limit on any road in the county that is not
part of the state highway system or within an incorporated municipality.
The law does not allow the commissioners court to reduce a speed limit to
less than 30 miles per hour.  The Woodlands, being an unincorporated area,
is subject to determinations made by the commissioners court with regard to
speed limits.  Because The Woodlands is a residential area with such
hazards as winding roads, limited visibility, and pedestrian traffic, 30
miles per hour may be an unsafe speed limit on certain roads within The
Woodlands.  C.S.H.B. 1191 authorizes the commissioners court of a county to
reduce to 20 miles per hour the speed limit on a road within a residence
district that is not part of the state highway system or within an
incorporated municipality.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1191 amends the Transportation Code to authorize a commissioners
court of a county to reduce the speed limit of a county road or highway
within a residence district but outside of a municipality to 20 rather than
30 miles per hour.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1191 differs from the original by allowing the commissioners court
of a county to lower the speed limit of a road within a residence district
rather than any road to 20 miles per hour if the road is a county road or
highway outside of a municipality.