HB 87 - TRAFFIC OFFENSES IN HIGHWAY WORK ZONES Number 515 REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON announced the next order of business to be HB 87, "An Act relating to fines and bail forfeiture amounts for certain offenses committed within highway work zones." Number 543 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON stated that the bill doubles the fines for speeding and for reckless or negligent driving in a highway work zone. It is a measure, designed to lessen the risk to highway work crews and to reduce the number of accidents in the highway work zones. He stated that surveys have shown an effective way to induce good behavior in work zones is to increase the penalties. He pointed out that there are more expensive ways of handling the dangers in the works zones, such as the construction companies contracting with the local police departments to be on site during the road work. He stated that the bill has a zero fiscal note. He stated that the fine for reckless driving is $1,000, with up to a year imprisonment. Negligent driving is a $300 fine with no jail time and speeding is a fine of $50 with $2 for every mile over the speed limit. Number 687 REPRESENTATIVE COWDERY stated that he would be in favor of a minimum fine level instead of a maximum fine ceiling because sometime offenders get off too easy. Number 742 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON stated that the statute reads not more than a $1000 fine. The statute sets the ceiling and not the floor. Number 793 REPRESENTATIVE COWDERY asked if there are points involved in these violations. Number 825 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON stated that there would be points involved with speeding and reckless driving but he is not sure if points apply to negligent driving. REPRESENTATIVE COWDERY stated that points on a license get the offenders attention more so than the fines. He stated that he supports the bill but would like to see points involved and a floor on the fines. REPRESENTATIVE ELTON agreed that points are more effective. REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON stated that the next committee of referral is the House Judiciary Standing Committee and they would be able to considered the point penalty. Number 951 DON ETHERIDGE, District Council of Labors, stated that the council is in favor of this legislation. He stated that there are been several close calls and this will deter accidents. Number 1081 REPRESENTATIVE COWDERY made a motion to move HB 87, with individual recommendations and a zero fiscal note. Number 1094 REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON asked if there were any objections, hearing none, HB 87 was moved out of the House Transportation Standing Committee.