Texas House Bill HB509

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

• Filed: 12/15/14

Caption

Relating to the process for establishing speed limits on roads near certain schools.

Impact

This bill is expected to enhance safety measures around educational facilities by providing a systematic approach for evaluating and potentially lowering speed limits based on the recommendations from each school’s governing body. The establishment of this annual public hearing requirement ensures that the voices of school officials are considered and provides a formal channel for addressing community safety concerns that may arise due to high traffic volumes around schools.

Summary

House Bill 509 aims to modify the process by which speed limits are established on roads adjacent to certain educational institutions, including public and private schools as well as charter schools. The bill proposes that the governing bodies of municipalities and counties hold annual public hearings to consider the speed limits in these areas. Specifically, it allows the setting of reduced speed limits of 15 miles per hour on roads located within 500 feet of schools, ensuring that traffic conditions can be assessed in relation to the safety of students during peak hours of school operation.

Sentiment

General sentiment around HB 509 is largely positive, as it is seen as a proactive measure to improve safety for children in school zones. Supporters, including educators and local government officials, advocate for the bill as a necessary step for protecting students, particularly during pick-up and drop-off times. However, there may be some opposition from drivers or advocates concerned about increased traffic enforcement or potential impractical speed limits that could result from overly cautious regulations.

Contention

While HB 509 primarily aims to enhance educational safety, discussions could arise over its implementation and the feasibility of conducting annual hearings. Some may question the appropriateness of setting speed limits solely based on requests from school bodies, fearing that this may lead to inconsistencies across different regions. Others may anticipate debates regarding the appropriate balance between traffic flow and safety, potentially leading to differing viewpoints on what constitutes a reasonable speed limit near schools.