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Bills We're Watching
HB 3187 Shaheen, Matt (R)
Relating to powers of regional transportation authorities.
Companions: SB 1557Paxton, Angela(Identical) 2-21-25 S Filed
AI Summary: This bill focuses on enhancing the operational capabilities of regional transportation authorities in Texas by instituting a General Mobility Program that allows municipalities within those authorities to allocate a portion of their sales and use tax revenues for transportation-related improvements. Under this program, municipalities can use up to 25% of the tax for projects including the construction and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, and drainage improvements.
Additionally, the bill modifies the authority's ability to pledge revenues for bond security, changing the cap from all or part to not more than 75%, thus providing increased financial flexibility. The usage of excess revenue is expanded to support operating reserves and further fund the newly established mobility program.
Further adjustments to the sales tax rates allow for more gradual increases, while restrictions on the issuance of obligations prevent authorities from accruing financial obligations when theres an impending withdrawal election. The legislation also continues the collection of taxes in previously withdrawn units until specified obligations are met, thereby ensuring financial stability within those regions affected by withdrawals. The law is set to become effective on September 1, 2025.
Bill History: 02-21-25 H Filed
SB 1557 Paxton, Angela (R)
Relating to powers of regional transportation authorities.
Companions: HB 3187 Shaheen, Matt (Identical) 2-21-25 H Filed
Bill History: 03-06-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Transportation
HB 167 Tepper, Carl (R)
Relating to the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and certain prohibited considerations in contracting by governmental entities.
Bill History: 02-27-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House State Affairs
HB 205 Cortez, Philip (D)
Relating to the eligibility for grants for alternative fueling facilities.
Companions: HB 2290 Cortez, Philip (Refiled from 88R Session)
Bill History: 02-27-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Environmental Regulation
HB 385 Lopez, Ray (D)
Relating to the collection and publication of affordable housing information by certain municipalities and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Bill History: 02-28-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Intergovernmental Affairs
HB 436 Leo-Wilson, Terri (R)
Relating to the requirement by certain governmental entities for diversity, equity, and inclusion statements and training from employees, prospective employees, and contractors.
Bill History: 02-28-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House State Affairs
HB 483 Bucy, John (D)
Relating to the use of state money for high-speed rail operated by a private entity and to the construction of certain high-speed rail.
Companions: SB 424 Eckhardt, Sarah (Identical) 2- 3-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Finance
Bill History: 02-28-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Subcommittee on Transportation Funding
HB 542 Bucy, John (D)
Relating to the use of certain money transferred to and deposited in the state highway fund as required by the Texas Constitution.
Companions: HB 5215 Bucy, John(Refiled from 88R Session)
Bill History: 03-03-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Subcommittee on Transportation Funding
HB 663 Harrison, Brian (R)
Relating to limitations on the applicability of certain statutes to high-speed rail.
Companions: HB 2931Harrison, Brian(Refiled from 88R Session)
Bill History: 03-04-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Land and Resource Management
HB 689 Gervin-Hawkins, Barbara (D)
Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for certain offenses committed in a vehicle operated by a public transportation system.
Companions: HB 485 Gervin-Hawkins, Barbara (Refiled from 88R Session)
Bill History: 03-04-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Criminal Jurisprudence
HB 755 Spiller, David (R)
Relating to certain requirements applicable to certain public entities that engage in lobbying.
Companions: HB 170 Spiller, David (Refiled from 88R Session)
Bill History: 03-05-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House State Affairs
HB 948 Harrison, Brian (R)
Relating to the required posting by governmental entities of employee contracts and compensation on entity Internet websites.
Companions: HB 3017 Harrison, Brian (Refiled from 88R Session)
Bill History: 03-06-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Delivery of Government Efficiency
HB 1109 VanDeaver, Gary (R)
Relating to an exemption from certain motor fuel taxes for counties in this state.
SB 677 Hughes, Bryan(Identical) 2- 3-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Finance SB 935 Hall, Bob(Identical) 2-13-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Finance
Bill History: 11-12-24 H Filed
HB 1402 Harris, Cody (R)
Relating to a prohibition on the use of public money to pay for the alteration of a roadway related to high-speed rail construction.
Bill History: 11-19-24 H Filed
HB 1713 Plesa, Mihaela (D)
Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of criminal mischief involving impairment of electric vehicle supply equipment.
Bill History: 12-30-24 H Filed
HB 1951 Hefner, Cole (R)
Relating to certain agreements with collective bargaining organizations related to certain publicly funded public work contracts.
Companions: HB 2753 Smithee, John (Refiled from 88R Session) SB 936 Hancock, Kelly (Refiled from 88R Session) SB 925 Hancock, Kelly(Identical) 2-13-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Business and Commerce
Bill History: 01-17-25 H Filed
HB 2148 Gervin-Hawkins, Barbara (D)
Relating to the construction manager-at-risk and design-build methods of project delivery for a public work contract.
Bill History: 01-28-25 H Filed
HB 2418 Harris, Cody (R)
Relating to the waiver of certain examination requirements for certain applicants for an engineering license.
Bill History: 02-04-25 H Filed
HB 3019 Cain, Briscoe(R)
Relating to the authority of certain metropolitan rapid transit authorities and related entities to request and receive federal funds.
Bill History: 02-19-25 H Filed
HB 3643 Troxclair, Ellen (R)
Relating to the withdrawal of a unit of election from certain metropolitan rapid transit authorities and the net financial obligation of that withdrawal.
AI Summary:This bill modifies the stipulations surrounding the withdrawal of a unit of election from certain metropolitan rapid transit authorities. Notably, it changes the timeline for initiating a withdrawal election, prohibiting such elections from being held until the second anniversary of the last election, in contrast to the former rule that allowed for elections only after the fifth anniversary.
Additionally, the bill clarifies the calculation of a withdrawn unit's net financial obligation to the authority. It stipulates that for units with a total population of two percent or less of the authority's inhabitants, the net obligation will be determined by the fair market value of property remaining in the unit post-withdrawal rather than the previous formula based on outstanding obligations and unencumbered assets.
The legislation also compels transit authorities to prepare an annual good faith estimate of each unit's financial obligation, with a deadline for reporting set for July 1 each year. This change aims to ensure transparency and preparedness for both the authorities and the withdrawing units. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote or by September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.
Bill History: 03-03-25 H Filed
HJR 58 Bucy, John (D)
Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the use of money in the state highway fund for transit-oriented projects.
Companions: HJR 204 Bucy, John (Refiled from 88R Session)
Bill History: 03-03-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Subcommittee on Transportation Funding
HJR 63 Walle, Armando (D)
Proposing a constitutional amendment to permit additional uses of certain dedicated general revenue transferred each fiscal year to the state highway fund.
Companions: HJR 77 Walle, Armando (Refiled from 88R Session); SJR 37 Miles, Borris (Refiled from 88R Session)
Bill History:03-04-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Subcommittee on Transportation Funding
SB 19 Middleton, Mayes (R)
Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying and certain other activities.
Companions: HB 3257 Olcott, Mike (F) (Identical) 2-24-25 H Filed
AI Summary: This bill focuses on regulating how political subdivisions in Texas can utilize public funds for lobbying activities. The addition of Section 556.0056 to the Government Code explicitly prohibits political subdivisions from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or to pay nonprofit associations that employ such lobbyists. While this represents a significant restriction, the bill clarifies permissible activities for local government officials, including providing information to legislators or advocating for or against legislation as long as it does not require lobbyist registration.
The bill empowers citizens by allowing them to seek injunctive relief against any political subdivision engaging in lobbying activities that violate the new provisions, ensuring accountability and transparency in how public funds are used. Residents who prevail in legal actions related to violations can recover their legal costs, reinforcing the deterrent against inappropriate expenditure of public funds.
Also included in the bill are amendments to Section 89.002 of the Local Government Code relating to county spending on nonprofit associations. This section now requires compliance with the new lobbying conditions, effectively tightening controls on public funds. The measures set forth in this bill aim to increase transparency and limit the misuse of public funding in the lobbying context, with the changes going into effect on September 1, 2025.
Bill History: 03-06-25 S First placement on Senate Intent Calendar for
SB 159 Menendez, Jose (D)
Relating to an education and training program for certain public transportation vehicle operators on interacting with and supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Bill History: 02-03-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Transportation
SB 424 Eckhardt, Sarah (D)
Relating to the use of state money for high-speed rail operated by a private entity and to the construction of certain high-speed rail.
Companions: HB 483 Meza, Terry(Refiled from 88R Session)
Bill History: 02-03-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Finance
SB 553 Flores, Pete (R)
Relating to the design-build method for certain government construction projects.
Bill History: 02-03-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Business and Commerce
SB 677 Hughes, Bryan(R)
Relating to an exemption from certain motor fuel taxes for counties in this state.
Companions: HB 1109 VanDeaver, Gary(Identical) 11-12-24 H Filed SB 935 Hall, Bob(Identical) 2-13-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Finance
Bill History: 02-03-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Finance
SB 871 Birdwell, Brian (R)
Relating to the authority of the legislature, governor, and certain political subdivisions with respect to disasters and emergencies.
Bill History: 02-13-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate State Affairs
SB 925 Hancock, Kelly (R)
Relating to certain agreements with collective bargaining organizations related to certain publicly funded public work contracts.
Companions: HB 2753 Smithee, John (Refiled from 88R Session) SB 936 Hancock, Kelly(Refiled from 88R Session) HB 1951 Hefner, Cole(Identical) 1-17-25 H Filed
Bill History: 03-04-25 S Committee action pending Senate Business and Commerce
SB 935 Hall, Bob (R)
Relating to an exemption from certain motor fuel taxes for counties in this state.
Companions: HB 1109 VanDeaver, Gary (Identical) 11-12-24 H Filed SB 677 Hughes, Bryan (Identical) 12-19-24 S Filed
Bill History: 02-13-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Finance
SB 1301 Sparks, Kevin (F)(R)
Relating to the design-build method for certain government construction projects.
Bill History: 02-28-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Business and Commerce
SB 1371 Hinojosa, Chuy (D)
Relating to the operation of certain metropolitan transit authorities.
Bill History: 03-06-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Finance
SB 1384 Eckhardt, Sarah (D)
Relating to the provision by a regional mobility authority of financial assistance for transportation projects of governmental entities located in the area of the authority.
Bill History: 03-06-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Transportation
SB 1420 Nichols, Robert (R)
Relating to the use by a county, municipality, or school district of public money for lobbying activities.
Bill History: 03-06-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate State Affairs
SB 1770 Cook, Molly (F) (D)
Relating to the accommodation of pedestrians, bicyclists, persons with disabilities, children, senior citizens, users of public transportation, movers of commercial goods, and motorists on streets and highways.
AI Summary: This bill aims to enhance the infrastructure for a wide range of street users through the introduction of a Complete Streets Policy in Texas. It instructs the Texas Department of Transportation to prioritize considerations for motorists, public transport, and all roadway users in all aspects of transportation planning, design, and maintenance.
A comprehensive definition of the Complete Streets Policy is introduced, mandating that it includes the safety and mobility needs of various users and accounts for the context of urban, rural, and suburban areas. Local authorities are empowered to adopt this policy, ensuring compliance for all federally or state-funded transportation projects, which includes designated improvements for access roads, bicycle paths, and sidewalks.
Exemptions to the policy can be granted at the discretion of the department or local authorities under conditions that include disproportionate costs or legal prohibitions. Additionally, the Texas Transportation Commission is required to compile a best practices report by July 1, 2028, examining how the policy is being implemented across various levels of government.
The bill outlines an effective date of September 1, 2025, providing a timeline for the transition to these new requirements and the establishment of protocols for enhancing transportation inclusivity across Texas.
Bill History: 02-28-25 S Filed
SJR 33 Miles, Borris (D)
Proposing a constitutional amendment to permit additional uses of certain dedicated general revenue transferred each fiscal year to the state highway fund.
Companions: HJR 63 Walle, Armando (Identical), Bill History: 11-12-24 H Filed
Bill History: 02-07-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Transportation
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