April 14, 2025

How do I make my voice heard at the Legislature?

This excerpt is from an article posted February 25, 2025, on the Texas State Law Library's site. For the full article on how to participate in the legislative process, click on the "Read More" link below the excerpt.

I want to testify about a bill. How can I do that?

To testify in person:

1. Start by signing up for an account on Texas Legislature Online’s MyTLO. You’ll need to opt in to the bill alert system to get e-mail alerts about the bill’s progress.
2. Keep an eye out for a notification telling you when the committee will hold a hearing for the bill. You can also browse the Committees page on TLO for meeting info.
3. Once it’s announced, make plans to attend the hearing. Not all committee hearings offer witness testimony, though. Some may only hear invited testimony. Be sure to check the hearing notice to see if public testimony is an option.
4. Sign up to testify! How you sign up depends on whether it is a House or Senate committee hearing.
5. Once your name is called, state your thoughts! Witnesses usually have 2 or 3 minutes to testify, but this can vary. The agenda will usually state how much time each witness has.

What if I can’t testify in person?

If you can’t make it to the committee meeting in person, you have the option to submit electronic comments without testifying in person. Check the notice of public hearing for the link to submit comments. The comments will be included in the committee hearing’s public record.

Of course, you can always contact your representatives directly to express your thoughts. You can find a list of members and contact info on the websites of the House and Senate. If you aren’t sure who your representatives are, search your address in the Who Represents Me? tool.

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Call to Action

DART Needs Your Help

Advocate at the local level (city and county officials):

• The importance of transit to your business, family, and the region
• Resolve issues at home in North Texas instead of Austin at the Legislature
• Support voter-approved transit funding sources

Advocate at the regional level to (NCTCOG):

• Develop realistic and achievable Transit 2.0 recommendations
• Prioritize regional funding to jurisdictions with transit
• Pursue more funding tools for regional transit initiatives

Advocate at the state level to (State Senators and Representatives):

• Oppose any legislation that limits transit funding
• The value of public transit in ever-growing North Texas
• Create economic development tools for transit member cities

Texas Republicans Take Aim at Public Transit in Two Major Cities

texastribune.org

Texas lawmakers could imperil the future of public transportation in two of the state’s largest urban areas, transit officials and advocates warn.

Republican legislators are entertaining proposals to sap hundreds of millions of dollars from Dallas Area Rapid Transit, the state’s largest public transit system, and thwart the voter-approved expansion of public transportation in Austin known as Project Connect.

Texas Republicans have long been wary of investing in public transit, given the state’s cultural ties to oil and gas and automobiles — and have long pursued ways to undercut the state’s urban areas. In the case of Project Connect, lawmakers see state intervention, at least in part, as a way to rein in high property taxes.

Here’s what the proposed legislation would do.

$337 Billion, Two-Year Budget gets Texas House Approval

texastribune.org

The Texas House approved a roughly $337 billion two-year spending plan early Friday, putting billions toward teacher pay, border security and property tax cuts, after more than 13 hours of debate that saw hundreds of amendments — from Democrats and hardline conservatives alike — meet their demise.

The House budget largely aligns with a version the Senate passed in March, though lawmakers made several changes on the floor that will have to be ironed out behind closed doors with their Senate counterparts. The biggest amendment of the day, from Rep. Mary González, D-Clint, eliminated funding for the Texas Lottery Commission and for economic development and tourism in the governor’s office, to the tune of more than $1 billion. Both remain funded in the Senate’s latest budget draft.

The House’s proposal, approved on a 118 to 26 vote, would spend around $154 billion in general revenue, Texas’ main source of taxpayer funds used to pay for core services. The bulk of general revenue spending would go toward education, with large buckets of funding also dedicated to health and human services and public safety agencies.

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Bills We're Watching Closely

HB 3187  Shaheen, Matt (R)

Relating to powers of regional transportation authorities.

Companions: SB 1557 Paxton, Angela(Identical)

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 there's 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: 04-17-25 H Meeting set for 8:00 A.M., E2.010 - House Transportation

SB 1557  Paxton, Angela (R)

Relating to powers of regional transportation authorities.

Companions: HB 3187 Shaheen, Matt (Identical) 

Bill History: 03-06-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Transportation

HB 4348  Capriglione, Giovanni (R)

Relating to a prohibition on certain roadway projects and to the distribution of affordable housing funds to local governmental entities that violate that prohibition.

Companions: SB 1993 Hall, Bob (Identical) 

AI Summary: The proposed legislation aims to tighten local governmental entities' authority over roadway projects, reinforcing the importance of community involvement and ensuring road functionality is prioritized.

Delegated Control: The bill amends the Transportation Code to state that municipalities have delegated control over their public roadways instead of exclusive control, allowing for perhaps more oversight and cooperation with higher authorities.

When dealing with the closure of streets or alleys, municipalities are now required to follow a series of steps. This includes soliciting public input through hearings, submitting petitions with specific criteria (like demonstrating traffic congestion will not worsen), and securing voter approval through an election.

In a significant shift, the bill prohibits local governmental entities from engaging in roadway projects that reallocate roadway space (for instance, converting lanes into bike lanes or narrowing lanes) unless creating new traffic lanes. This ensures that vehicular capacity is not compromised.

Additionally, there is a strict complaint process: complaints about violations must be investigated, and findings can result in administrative actions. If violations persist, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs will be notified, which can lead to financial assistance being withheld until the issues are resolved.

Lastly, Section 311.001(c) of the Transportation Code is repealed, further simplifying the framework for municipal road management. This bill is poised to take effect immediately with sufficient legislative support or by September 1, 2025, if not. - Version: FIL

Bill History: 04-01-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Transportation

SB 1993  Hall, Bob (R)

Relating to a prohibition on certain roadway projects and to the distribution of affordable housing funds to local governmental entities that violate that prohibition.

Companions: HB 4348 Capriglione, Giovanni (Identical) 

Bill History: 03-17-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Transportation

HB 5049  Shaheen, Matt (R)

Relating to the composition and authority of certain subregional boards of regional transportation authorities.

Companions: SB 2118 Parker, Tan (Identical)

AI Summary: The bill introduces significant changes to the governance structure of subregional boards under the Texas Transportation Code, specifically in Section 452.112 and related sections. A major change is that each municipality in the subregional authority will appoint one member to the board, simplifying the previous arrangement where municipalities collectively appointed 15 members. This shift emphasizes the governance of local municipalities in a more equitable manner.

Another critical modification is the voting structure: the designated member from the principal municipality will have enhanced voting power, able to cast three votes instead of aligning votes based on multiple members per municipality.

The bill also revises member terms; all board members will now have staggered two-year terms, with about half of the members terms expiring each year to ensure continuity and regular turnover. Moreover, the role of the presiding officer will rotate among the members every two years, ensuring no member serves consecutive terms in this capacity, which is intended to promote fairness and shared leadership.

Additionally, several sections of the current Transportation Code are repealed, which reflects a legislative intent to streamline the governing process by removing outdated provisions. Finally, the bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, concluding with the expiration of current board terms and the immediate establishment of the restructured subregional boards. - Version: FIL

Bill History: 04-03-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Transportation

SB 2118  Parker, Tan (R)

Relating to the composition and authority of certain subregional boards of regional transportation authorities.

Companions: HB 5049 Shaheen, Matt (Identical) 

Bill History: 03-24-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Transportation

Transit in the Headlines

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.