04/03/1998 12:02 PM Senate RLS

CHAIRMAN KELLY brought SB 304 - REGULATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES & HWYS            
before the committee and requested Senator Donley to explain the               
new proposed Rules CS.                                                         
                                                                               
SENATOR DAVE DONLEY, prime sponsor of SB 304, said given the time              
left in the session and some of the concerns that have been                    
expressed by the committee, he thought it would be better to narrow            
the bill down to the one thing everybody agrees on which is                    
increasing the fines for offenses committed in a highway work zone.            
The proposed committee substitute removes the language in the bill             
relating to driving in the left lane of a divided highway.  Also,              
in response to a request form AGC and the construction industry to             
make the effective a little earlier in order to protect workers                
during next  construction season, the effective date was changed               
from June 30, 1999 to April 30, 1999.                                          
                                                                               
SENATOR LEMAN moved adoption of CSSB 304(RLS), version "X," as a               
working document.  Hearing no objection, the motion carried.                   
                                                                               
SENATOR LEMAN moved and asked unanimous consent CSSB 304(RLS) be               
approved for calendaring at the discretion of the Chair.  Hearing              
no objection, it was so ordered.