Bill

HB 1238

84(R) - 2015
House Transportation
House Transportation
Transportation & Infrastructure

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Dennis Bonnen

Bill Caption

Relating to requirements for construction and maintenance work zones; creating an offense and altering a criminal penalty.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

It is assumed any costs or duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within the agency's existing resources.

Local governments would incur costs for  projects for the installation, delivery, removal, purchase and/or rental of traffic flow barriers as required by the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

HB 1238 would amend the Transportation Code relating to requirements for construction and maintenance work zones. The bill would require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), a political subdivision, or a contractor or subcontractor that establishes a construction or maintenance work zone and directs the flow of traffic into the opposite lane of travel to install physical barriers to direct the traffic.

Based on the analysis of TxDOT, it is assumed TxDOT would incur additional costs on highway maintenance projects for the purchase, installation, and removal of physical barriers if traffic is required to be directed into the opposite lane of travel in the work zone.

The bill would modify fine offenses regarding the speed limit in a construction or maintenance work zone. Costs associated with enforcement and prosecution could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.

Vote Recommendation Notes

We believe the safety of both automobile drivers and passengers, as well as construction workers, is a legitimate concern of government. Because this bill is a cost-effective solution to dangerous situations involving the re-routing of traffic, and gives drivers a greater chance to exercise personal responsibility when behind the wheel, we support HB 1238.