Legislative Update & Transit Headlines

February 28, 2025

Transit Day at the Capitol

TCNT joined forces with the Texas Transit Association for Transit Day at the Capitol this week. Members engaged with North Texas officials, sharing materials and conversations. The Coalition emphasized its support for existing transit funding while highlighting the need for additional capital resources to advance regional transit projects.

2025 North Texas Transit Oriented Development Summit

Join ULI Dallas-Fort Worth and DART for an exciting new full-day event on Thursday, March 27 from 7:30 AM-4:30 PM, featuring four insightful panels. Discover the critical role transit agencies play in shaping transit-oriented development (TOD) and delve into the opportunities and challenges that public-private partnerships can bring to the table. The event will also explore the impact of TOD on housing, employment, and taxation. Finally, gain a broader perspective by examining successful transit-oriented development in other states and countries around the world.

Agenda and Registration

Texas House Bill Aims to Curb DART Funding as Transit Officials Push Back

masstransitmag.com

A bill filed in the Texas House on Friday would reduce the amount of taxes regional transit authorities like Dallas Area Rapid Transit can collect from member cities.

Filed by Representative Matt Shaheen, the bill would only allow transit authorities to impose a sales and use tax of up to three-quarters of a percent, instead of the full penny tax collected by DART.

Shaheen, a Republican, represents House District 66, which encompasses parts of Plano, Frisco, Prosper and Celina.

His bill would also require transit authorities to institute a general mobility program that would allow up to 25% of taxes paid by a member city to be used by the municipality for mobility projects like road construction and maintenance, streetlights and drainage improvements.

Any unused mobility funds would have to be used by the transit agency to pay down outstanding debt. The draft would also limit authorities’ ability to issue debt obligations.

It is unclear whether the sales tax rate cut applies to transit authorities' existing member cities. Steve Stoler, director of media relations for the City of Plano, said the bill does not require a reduction of existing taxes.

Instead, it could apply to new member cities, or limit how much a transit authority could increase taxes, should its board vote to reduce them in the first place.

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

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: 02-21-25 S Filed

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: 11-12-24 H Filed

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: 11-12-24 H Filed

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: 11-12-24 H Filed

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: 11-12-24 H Filed

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: 11-12-24 H Filed

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: 11-12-24 H Filed

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: 11-12-24 H Filed

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: 11-12-24 H Filed

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: 11-12-24 H Filed

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: 11-12-24 H Filed

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

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: 11-12-24 H Filed

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: 11-12-24 H Filed

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: 02-13-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on 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: 02-14-25 S Filed

SB 1371 Hinojosa, Chuy (D)

Relating to the operation of certain metropolitan transit authorities.

Bill History: 02-18-25 S Filed

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: 02-19-25 S Filed

SB 1420 Nichols, Robert (R)

Relating to the use by a county, municipality, or school district of public money for lobbying activities.

Bill History: 02-19-25 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

Transit in the Headlines

Derailing DART: Sad Reckoning that Will Hurt Region Has Come

dallasnews.com

We hoped that a spat between Dallas Area Rapid Transit and its member cities would be resolved locally.

But last week, state Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano, filed a bill that gets state lawmakers involved. It’s an attempt to unravel a decision voters made decades ago, when they committed to a massive investment in infrastructure to move residents across our growing region. We urge lawmakers to carefully consider the bill’s long-term consequences and halt its passage.

The bill, alongside its identical companion in the Senate, is still in the early stages. “We’re still working to refine the language to match our intent,” a Plano official said.

The bill would create a program that allows each member city to recapture a quarter of the funding it sends to DART, restrict how the agency borrows money and make elections for cities to withdraw from the agency more frequent, among other provisions.

There is also a section that would reduce the funding member cities provide to the agency by 25%, but Shaheen told us there are plans to strike this section from the bill.

Transportation Council's Vote Sets Stage for DART Funding Legislation

keranews.org

The Regional Transportation Council is staying neutral in the funding debate between Dallas Area Rapid Transit and cities unhappy with DART’s service.

A sharply divided council voted 17 to 16 Thursday not to back DART in the legislature if the funding debate heads to the Statehouse. The council was debating whether to add the language “Protect existing transportation authority dedicated funding” to the RTC’s legislative agenda.

“We need the transportation authorities to do more, not less,” transportation director Michael Morris said.

With the council taking a neutral position, Morris said he expects to see state legislation filed next month to cut a portion of DART's funding.

“I don't know what the path forward would be because my suspicion is there will be legislation introduced that may or may not be in the interest of this Regional Transportation Council,” Morris said.

Last October, the RTC gave DART and member cities until the end of this month to resolve its funding debate or it would pull its support in its legislative agenda.

As you can see from the articles and bills we've been posting, there's a lot going on with transit in North Texas. If your company/organization is interested in joining the Coalition, please contact Christy Willhite, Executive Director, cwillhite@transitnorthtexas.org.