Lawmakers consider raising construction‑zone speeding fines, removing 'workers present' condition

The House Transportation Committee heard hours of testimony on Senate Bill 21‑83, a measure that would increase the minimum fine for speeding in construction zones and remove the requirement that an enhanced penalty apply only when workers are present.

Sponsor Sen. Dean Rummel said the bill would raise the base minimum fine from $80 to $150 and add $2 for each mile per hour above 10 mph over the posted limit; it would also remove a requirement that augmented fines only apply when construction workers are physically present. "This bill is all about safety," Rummel said, and he cited crash statistics the committee heard: "In 2023… there were 523 crashes in work zones… 13 crashes with suspected serious injuries, 71 with minor, 63 with possible, and 376 with no apparent injuries."

Construc…