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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 The legislation also continues the collection of taxes in previously withdrawn units until specified obligations are met, thereby ensuring financial stability within those regions affected by withdrawals.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: 03-20-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Transportation
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 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: 03-11-25 H Filed
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: 03-13-25 H Filed
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)
AI Summary: This act aims to redefine the governance structure of subregional boards within regional transportation authorities in Texas. The key change is a reduction in the number of members on the subregional board from 15 to one per municipality, ensuring that each municipality has a single representative. This appointed member will have enhanced voting rights by being able to cast three votes, rather than a complex allocation based on prior member counts.
Additionally, the act establishes a rotating presiding officer system that mandates a two-year term for this role, with strict rules prohibiting consecutive terms to encourage leadership rotation among board members. The staggered two-year terms for board members will now all end on the same date, July 1, under a new system of expiration aiming to streamline governance.
Importantly, several obsolete provisions within the Transportation Code are also repealed to facilitate these changes. On the effective date of this Act, current members' terms will expire, allowing the new structure to be established promptly. The legislation is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, paving the way for a revitalized approach to transportation governance in Texas. - Version: FIL
Bill History: 03-10-25 S Filed
HB 134 Meyer, Morgan (R)
Relating to the location at which certain sales are consummated for purposes of local sales and use taxes.
AI Summary: This bill modifies the Texas Tax Code concerning the location of consummation for certain sales for local sales and use taxes. Notably, the definition of the "place of business of the retailer" has been refined to exclude online elements such as computer servers, IP addresses, domain names, and so forth.
Significantly, it introduces the term active economic development agreement, targeting local government agreements based on sales tax collections and specifying parameters for small businesses, recognizing those with fewer than 20 employees and under $500,000 in gross receipts.
Changes to how sales are consummated involve clearer guidelines: small businesses will have sales consummated at their principal business location, while others will follow a procedure based on the location of the order receipt or the delivery point. The bill allows small businesses to opt for tax reporting based on their locality, enhancing their operational flexibility through active economic development agreements.
Furthermore, certain sections of the Tax Code are repealed to eliminate redundancy and confusion, and it is clarified that tax liabilities prior to the bill's effective date of January 1, 2026, remain enforceable under previous laws. Overall, this bill aims to clarify tax legislation and foster beneficial conditions for small businesses in Texas. - Version: FIL
Bill History: 03-20-25 H Voted favorably from committee as substituted House Ways and Means
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)
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.
Companions: SB 677 Hughes, Bryan(Identical) SB 935 Hall, Bob(Identical)
Bill History: 03-20-25 H Voted favorably from committee on House Ways and Means
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: 03-11-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Subcommittee on Transportation Funding
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: 03-14-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Criminal Jurisprudence
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)
Bill History: 03-14-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House State Affairs
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: 03-14-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House State Affairs
HB 2418 Harris, Cody (R)
Relating to the waiver of certain examination requirements for certain applicants for an engineering license.
Bill History: 03-17-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures
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: 03-20-25 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Subcommittee on Transportation Funding
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.
Bill History: 03-03-25 H Filed
HB 3879 Troxclair, Ellen (R)
Relating to restrictions on the levy and use of certain ad valorem taxes and the issuance of certain bonds supported by ad valorem taxes.
Bill History: 03-05-25 H Filed
HB 4248 Reynolds, Ron (D)
Relating to the authority to impose municipal sales and use taxes.
Bill History: 03-10-25 H Filed
HB 4575 Villalobos, Denise (F) (R)
Relating to the selection and retention of an insurance broker by certain metropolitan rapid transit authorities.
Bill History: 03-12-25 H Filed
HB 4576 Villalobos, Denise (F) (R)
Relating to the operation of certain metropolitan transit authorities.
Bill History: 03-12-25 H Filed
HB 5252 Shaheen, Matt (R)
Relating to the authority of a municipality to adopt, increase or decrease the rate of, or repeal an additional sales and use tax for property tax relief by ordinance or resolution of the governing body of the municipality.
Bill History: 03-14-25 H Filed
HB 5413 Hinojosa, Gina (D)
Relating to utilization of certain highways designated by metropolitan planning organizations.
Bill History: 03-14-25 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)
Bill History: 03-20-25 H Received in the House
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) SB 935 Hall, Bob(Identical)
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: 03-24-25 S Placed on the Senate Calendar for
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) SB 677 Hughes, Bryan (Identical)
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.
Companions: HB 4888 Canales, Terry(Identical)
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.
Bill History: 03-13-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Transportation.
SB 1922 West, Royce (D)
Relating to appointments to the public transportation advisory committee.
Companions: HB 5295 Paul, Dennis (Identical)
Bill History: 03-17-25 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate 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
SB 2519 Bettencourt, Paul (R)
Relating to restrictions on the levy and use of certain ad valorem taxes and on the issuance of certain bonds supported by ad valorem taxes.
Bill History: 03-13-25 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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