Bill

SB 2103

85(R) - 2017
Senate Transportation
Read Bill & Check Bill Status
Senate Transportation
Local Government
Transportation & Infrastructure

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Sylvia Garcia

Bill Caption

Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to alter prima facie speed limits.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 2103 would allow the governing body of a municipality to lower the prima facie speed limit on certain streets to 20 miles per hour, a reduction from the current authority to lower the speed limit to 25 miles per hour. The purpose is to allow residential neighborhoods to reduce the speed limit to 20 miles per hour where a higher speed limit would be unsafe. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Our concern with this bill is that it may enable municipalities to set lower speed limits under the guise of public safety but for the actual purpose of increasing speeding ticket revenue. Speeding tickets should not be used as revenue generators for local governments. Still, the authority to make changes to the rules of the road is clearly within the legitimate responsibility of the legislature. The provisions of this bill have no relationship to our liberty principles. We remain neutral. 

Organizations Supporting

City of Austin
City of Fort Worth
City of San Antonio