Committee reports bill strengthening left-lane rule, increasing fines for repeat violations

The Senate Committee on Transportation reported Senate Bill 11 favorably after debate on enforcement and public-safety rationales for tightening left‑lane rules on multilane highways.

Senator Centolino, the bill sponsor, told the committee that current law makes the left lane for passing only and that the statute’s 10‑mile‑per‑hour deviation requirement impedes enforcement. “That law that's in place provides for $100 fine... I didn't think that that was had a lot of teeth in it,” Centolino said, arguing that removing the 10‑mph deviation clause would give officers discretion to enforce the left‑lane restriction more effectively.

Under the bill as presented, the first offense would carry a $150 fine, a second offense within 12 months would be $250, and a third offense within 12 months of the second would be $350 with up to 30 days in jail at the court’s discretion. Committee members asked whether the law was currently enforced and whether the statutory language would create practical enforcement challenges; several members expressed support for the bill as a traffic-safety measure.

Senator Carter asked for clarification that the current statute required a 10‑mph deviation before a ticket could be issued; Centolino confirmed the existing language and that the bill removes that requirement and vests discretion with officers. Senator Wheat and others voiced support, and Senator McMath moved to report the bill favorably. The chairman called for objections and, hearing none, the committee reported SB11 out favorably by voice consent. The transcript includes no roll‑call tally.