House Bill 975 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-8-153, by deleting the existing subsection (d) and replacing it with new provisions regarding the authority of county legislative bodies to set lower speed limits on county-maintained roads. The bill grants these bodies the power to prescribe appropriate speed limits and mandates the erection of relevant signs and traffic signals. Additionally, it allows for the delegation of this authority to the chief administrative officer of the county highway department, provided that the department employs a qualified engineer to conduct necessary engineering and traffic investigations.

The bill further stipulates that any engineering and traffic investigations conducted to establish speed limits must adhere to established traffic engineering practices and comply with the guidelines set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and state supplemental guidelines. Documentation of these investigations is required to be maintained by the jurisdiction responsible for conducting or sponsoring them. The legislation also clarifies that in counties with a commission form of government, the board of commissioners retains the authority to set speed limits as prescribed in the bill. This act will take effect upon becoming law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 55-8-153