By: Murphy H.B. No. 537
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to traffic engineering studies on photographic traffic
signal enforcement systems.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 707.003, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (d-1) and amending Subsections (e) and (f) to
read as follows:
(d-1) At least once every five years after installing a
photographic traffic signal enforcement system at an intersection
approach, the local authority shall:
(1) contract with an independent engineering firm to
conduct a traffic engineering study of the approach to determine
whether, in addition to or as an alternative to the system, a design
change to the approach or a change in the signalization of the
intersection is likely to reduce the number of red light violations
at the intersection; and
(2) report the results of the study as required by
Subsection (e).
(e) A local authority shall report results of the traffic
engineering study required by Subsection (c) or (d-1) to a citizen
advisory committee consisting of one person appointed by each
member of the governing body of the local authority. The committee
shall advise the local authority on the installation and operation
of a photographic traffic signal enforcement system established
under this chapter.
(f) A local authority may not impose a civil penalty under
this chapter on the owner of a motor vehicle if the local authority
violates Subsection (b)
, [or] (c), or (d-1).
SECTION 2. Notwithstanding Section 707.003(d-1),
Transportation Code, as added by this Act, a local authority is not
required to comply with that section for a photographic traffic
signal enforcement system installed before September 1, 2015, until
September 1, 2020.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.