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Committee approves bill requiring larger left‑lane signs and civil penalty for slow lane blocking, with amendment narrowing where it applies
Summary
House Bill 2235 would direct ADOT and local authorities to post larger "slower traffic keep right/left lane for passing only" signs and allow a civil penalty; committee adopted an amendment narrowing application to two‑lane highways and approved the amended bill 6–1.
The Arizona House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted to advance House Bill 2235 as amended after debate over whether the measure should include a civil penalty for motorists who impede traffic by remaining in the left lane.
House Bill 2235, as introduced, would direct the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and local authorities to place signs on highways that direct slower traffic to travel in lanes other than the furthest left lane. The bill requires signs to include wording such as "left lane for passing only" or "slow traffic keep right" and would make violation subject to a civil penalty of $500. Committee staff Luca explained the bill and the sponsor offered an amendment.
Vice Chair Representative Teresa Martinez, the bill sponsor, described driving conditions on the I-10 corridor and said larger signage and enforcement are necessary to reduce traffic backups and road rage. Martinez told the committee she received a constituent email expressing concern about faster drivers encountering motorists who travel at 60–65 mph in left lanes on a 75 mph limit roadway; Martinez urged colleagues to consider both larger signage and an enforcement mechanism so the signs have "teeth."
Representative Contreras and others questioned whether the penalty was appropriate and raised enforcement concerns. Representative Contreras said, "I can't agree with the fine. I think that's way too much. I'm gonna vote no." Other members expressed a preference for larger signs and education instead of, or before, a monetary penalty.
Representative Martinez offered an amendment that (1) specified the sign size at 48 by 48 inches in the amendment language she explained through staff, (2) allowed ADOT or local authorities the option to place $500 penalty language on a separate, smaller sign, and (3) narrowed the bill to apply to highways with two lanes (rather than two or more lanes). The committee adopted the Martinez amendment.
After debate and public testimony indicating general support, the committee voted to return HB 2235 as amended with a due-pass recommendation. The transcript records the committee vote as 6 ayes and 1 nay on the amended bill.
The committee and sponsor said they are willing to work with ADOT on which specific highways would receive signage (ADOT had recommended excluding I‑17 because of its mountain terrain). Martinez said ADOT previously absorbed the cost of similar "slow traffic keep right" signage; she said those signs cost about $22,500 and that ADOT should retain flexibility on placement intervals.
Votes at a glance: House Bill 2235 (as amended) — due-pass recommendation; committee recorded tally 6 ayes, 1 nay. The Martinez amendment (January 27) was adopted.
