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HB 2630

Relating to sex offenders.

2025 Regular Session

A 5-county DOT pilot tests solar-powered LED road signs on non-main roads for 90 days each to assess safety, costs, and statewide viability before potential expansion.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 2630

HB 2630 — Solar Powered Road Signs Pilot Program (Solar Rd Signs — Pilot Program)

Status: Introduced in February 2025 (sponsor Rep. Jason R. Bunting). Takes effect on enactment; repeals December 31, 2027. Subject to appropriation.

Purpose / Intent

Establish a limited pilot program to test solar‑powered LED road signs on selected county roadways to evaluate functionality, safety impacts, benefits, and projected statewide costs before wider deployment.

Key provisions

  • Creates a “Solar Powered Road Signs Pilot Program” within the Department of Transportation (DOT).
  • Timing:
    • DOT must develop the pilot program six months after the Act becomes law (subject to appropriation).
    • Each participating county must operate the pilot for at least 90 days from its start date.
    • After counties submit their findings, DOT must file a consolidated report with the General Assembly within 60 days.
    • The Act is repealed December 31, 2027.
  • Geographic/scope limits:
    • DOT selects 5 counties of varied population that consent to participate.
    • Participating counties select which roadways will receive the signs, subject to conditions:
    • Roadways cannot be State highways, federal highways, or roads within an incorporated municipality.
    • Chosen roadways should have signs of particularly low visibility.
    • Counties must follow applicable sign specifications (the bill references the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices).
  • DOT authority and procurement:
    • DOT uses its discretion in selecting and purchasing necessary solar‑LED sign equipment.
    • Implementation is subject to appropriation (no guaranteed funding in the bill text).
  • Reporting requirements:
    • Each county reports its findings to DOT after at least 90 days.
    • DOT’s report to the General Assembly must include at minimum:
    • How the solar LED signs functioned overall,
    • Benefits to the State,
    • Any safety concerns observed during use,
    • Projected costs for statewide implementation.

Who is affected

  • Department of Transportation: design, procurement oversight, and final reporting responsibility.
  • Participating counties (5 counties): operational deployment, monitoring, and reporting.
  • County road users and local traffic safety stakeholders: potential short‑term safety impacts and longer‑term benefits if adopted statewide.
  • Sign vendors/contractors: potential procurement opportunities contingent on appropriation.

Practical considerations / potential impacts

  • Pilot evaluates energy savings, maintenance cycles, visibility improvements, and costs before committing statewide funds.
  • Results depend on available appropriations; absent funding, deployment may be delayed or limited.
  • The 90‑day minimum pilot period is short for lifecycle or long‑term durability assessment; DOT and counties may need to supplement findings with longer monitoring or lifecycle cost modeling.
  • Repeal date limits program to a short-term demonstration unless further legislation is adopted.

Note: The bill text contains minor drafting irregularities in its references to sign specifications; it generally points counties to follow the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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