Senate transportation panel approves amendment to HB1298 to set 80 mph limit, simplify speeding fines and revise point penalties

During a meeting of the Senate Transportation Committee (date not specified), the committee approved an amendment to House Bill 1298 that would allow 80 miles per hour speed limits in specified interstate zones, simplify speeding fines to $5 for each mile per hour over the limit and adjust driving-point penalties for several offenses. The committee voted 4-2 to adopt amendment 25.0496.01003 and later gave the bill a due pass recommendation, recorded as 4-2.

The amendment combines several changes originally considered in separate measures. Senator Rummel said the amendment “went to simplification of all of the speed limit, to $5 for each mile per hour over the limit,” arguing the existing Century Code schedules are confusing and produce inconsistent fines depending on which agency stops a driver. Rummel also described proposed changes to the points schedule that would assign three points to a set of more serious offenses and noted the proposal would remove municipalities’ ability, in certain cases, to double speeding fines where local ordinances currently allow it.

Committee discussion and examples cited by Rummel emphasized practical inconsistencies in the current code: the same vehicle speed can carry different fines depending on the posted zone and the enforcing authority. Rummel identified specific changes in the points table, including raising the penalty for failing to use a child restraint system from one point to three points. He also referenced statutory cross‑references…