[DFW] Speed cameras shut down in Rhome

http://www.star-telegram.com/407/story/99724.html

"The Texas Department of Transportation ordered the small city northwest of Fort Worth not to use the speed-detecting traffic cameras on state and U.S. highways, Rhome Mayor Mark Lorance said.

And a bill to ban the controversial technology is heading for the Senate Criminal Justice Committee after unanimously passing the House."

Hurrah!


Anyone know how to check the status of that bill?

EDIT: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB922 Looks like the Senate Criminal Justice committee had a hearing on it yesterday

 

So, the Guv'nr has signed this, and it's effective immediately.

From my reading, speed cameras are still allowed on city streets, but not on the freeways.

Code:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	
AN ACT
	relating to the power of a municipality to enforce compliance with
	speed limits by an automated traffic control system.
	       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	       SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 542, Transportation Code,
	is amended by adding Section 542.2035 to read as follows:
	       Sec. 542.2035.  LIMITATION ON MUNICIPALITIES. (a)  A
	municipality may not implement or operate an automated traffic
	control system with respect to a highway under its jurisdiction.
	The attorney general shall enforce this subsection.
	       (b)  In this section, "automated traffic control system"
	means a photographic device, radar device, laser device, or other
	electrical or mechanical device designed to:
	             (1)  record the speed of a motor vehicle; and
	             (2)  obtain one or more photographs or other recorded
	images of:
	                   (A)  the vehicle;
	                   (B)  the license plate attached to the vehicle; or
	                   (C)  the operator of the vehicle.
	       SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2007.