BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2665 81R917 JD-D By: Ritter (Williams) Intergovernmental Relations 5/13/2009 Engrossed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT When emergency responders are dispatched, the time in which they are able to reach their destination can mean the difference between life and death. In some rural areas, lack of a visible address can impede emergency responders' ability to locate a property in a timely manner. Requiring that property owners have visible addresses would improve emergency responders' ability to quickly address the emergency rather than being delayed in locating the property. This bill authorizes the commissioners court of a county to adopt and impose standards and specifications for the design and installation of address number signs identifying properties located in unincorporated areas of the county. The bill creates a Class C misdemeanor offense for a person who knowingly fails or refuses to comply with an order of the commissioners court relating to standards and specifications for the design and installation of address number signs. H.B. 2665 amends current law relating to authorizing the commissioners court of a county to adopt and impose standards and specifications for the design and installation of address number signs to identify properties located in unincorporated areas of the county and provides a penalty. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 251.013, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (b-1) and (e), as follows: (b-1) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county by order to: (1) adopt standards and specifications for the design and installation of address number signs to identify properties located in unincorporated areas of the county, including standards or specifications as to sign size, material, longevity, ability to be seen and to reflect light, and any other factor the commissioners court considers necessary or appropriate; and (2) require the owners or occupants of properties in unincorporated areas of the county to obtain address number signs that comply with the standards and specifications adopted under Subdivision (1) and install and maintain those signs at the locations and in the manner required by those standards and specifications. (e) Provides that a person who knowingly fails or refuses to comply with an order of a commissioners court under Subsection (b-1)(2) commits an offense. Provides that an offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 2665
81R917 JD-D By: Ritter (Williams)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/13/2009
Engrossed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
When emergency responders are dispatched, the time in which they are able to reach their destination can mean the difference between life and death. In some rural areas, lack of a visible address can impede emergency responders' ability to locate a property in a timely manner. Requiring that property owners have visible addresses would improve emergency responders' ability to quickly address the emergency rather than being delayed in locating the property.
This bill authorizes the commissioners court of a county to adopt and impose standards and specifications for the design and installation of address number signs identifying properties located in unincorporated areas of the county. The bill creates a Class C misdemeanor offense for a person who knowingly fails or refuses to comply with an order of the commissioners court relating to standards and specifications for the design and installation of address number signs.
H.B. 2665 amends current law relating to authorizing the commissioners court of a county to adopt and impose standards and specifications for the design and installation of address number signs to identify properties located in unincorporated areas of the county and provides a penalty.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 251.013, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (b-1) and (e), as follows:
(b-1) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county by order to:
(1) adopt standards and specifications for the design and installation of address number signs to identify properties located in unincorporated areas of the county, including standards or specifications as to sign size, material, longevity, ability to be seen and to reflect light, and any other factor the commissioners court considers necessary or appropriate; and
(2) require the owners or occupants of properties in unincorporated areas of the county to obtain address number signs that comply with the standards and specifications adopted under Subdivision (1) and install and maintain those signs at the locations and in the manner required by those standards and specifications.
(e) Provides that a person who knowingly fails or refuses to comply with an order of a commissioners court under Subsection (b-1)(2) commits an offense. Provides that an offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.