Legislative Affairs
Both the Texas Legislature and the United States Congress address many important transportation issues that affect the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Transportation and air quality in the North Central Texas region are impacted by legislative decisions at the State and federal levels.
NCTCOG staff regularly update policy and technical committee members, transportation partners and others interested in monitoring legislative initiatives related to the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) legislative priorities.
In order to understand current legislative initiatives, the RTC directed the development of a Transportation Funding 101 primer so legislators and the general public can better understand funding sources for transportation as well as trends that impact the amount of funding available. A shortfall of funding has been identified and the primer also addresses potential solutions to increase funding options.
Legislative Update
April 25, 2025
FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.
Congress is on break for the Easter holiday and returns April 28, 2025.
FROM AUSTIN
There are about five weeks left in the 89th legislative session. The first significant legislative deadline is May 12, the deadline for House bills to be filed with the Committee Coordinator and reported from a committee.
The House Transportation Committee met on April 22 at 8 am to review and approve several bills. HB 2041 (King) would add animal control vehicles to the Move Over or Slow Down Law for Texas drivers. This bill was heard on March 27 and approved out of committee on April 22. HB 3331 (Perez) would create a permit system for 6-axle truck/trailer combos hauling steel (up to 90,000 lbs., with roll stability support), raise the permit fee from $1,200 to $2,000, and split funds among the state highway fund, operating counties, cities, and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). HB 3514 (Canales) would allow TxDOT to develop a landscape management program for business who wish to impact adjacent vegetation. HB 3528 (McQueeney) would remove redundant language currently in statute due to the passage of SB 2102 (rental car safety inspections) and HB 3297 (elimination of safety inspections) during the last legislative session. HB 3947 (Davis) would require each MPO seeking state/federal funds for a new transportation project to submit evidence that they're considering the needs of individuals with disabilities and those receiving services from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). HB 4880 (Olcott) would require TxDOT to remove temporary speed reduction signs approximately three days after a project is suspended or ended. All bills heard on April 22 were left pending.
Additionally, the House Transportation Committee met again on April 24 at 8 am to review other bills of interest. Some of the bills heard during the meeting were approved by the committee the following day, while others were left pending. HB 2462 (Leach), which would allow pregnant drivers to count as two passengers in a HOV lane, was approved on April 25. HB 2621 (Meyer), which would archive TxDOT live traffic feeds to be used as criminal evidence for investigations, was approved on April 25. HB 3187 (Shaheen), which would authorize municipalities DART to utilize up to 25 percent of sales and use tax for general mobility projects, modify the percentage of tax revenues that can be pledged for bond security, adjust tax rate options, and revise the conditions for elections to withdraw from the authority, was left pending. HB 3563 (Paul), which would give TxDOT and regional mobility authorities an optional project delivery method, was left pending. HB 3726 (Perez), which would apply the Move Over or Slow Down Law to all vehicles stopped in the breakdown lane or shoulder with their hazard lights flashing, was left pending. HB 4164 (Guillen), which would require TxDOT to put in effort to track property owners, 60 days after the initial notice (without response), was left pending. HB 4207 (King), which would prohibit a railroad company from blocking a crossing for more than 30 minutes, was left pending. HB 4706 (Paul), which would require cars/vehicles to give all sidewalk users (scooters, mobility scooters, etc.) right of way, just like pedestrian.
The Senate Transportation Committee met on April 16 at 8 am to review and approve several bills. One bill of particular interest, SB 2707 (Hagenbuch), which would ensure that TxDMV can continue to exempt by rule government entities from fees for oversized/overweight vehicle permits or authority, was approved by the committee. Johnson County Commissioner Rick Bailey testified in support of this bill and asked for clarification on permit payments. In a discussion, TxDMV and Hagenbuch confirmed that entities would still need to pay for the permit, but certain fees are waived.
April Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) Hearing
The Texas Transportation Commission met on April 24. Routine information was presented for their approval, including highway letting contracts, rejection of building maintenance bids, State Infrastructure Bank loans, Federal and State aviation awards, and rule adoptions.
MONITORED BILLS LIST
If you need information on the bills being tracked, please contact Jackie Nolasco at jnolasco@nctcog.org.
HIGHLIGHTED BILLS WITH ACTION
- HB 3511, Relating to the interconnection of electric vehicles to the ERCOT power grid. Committee substitute reported out of House State Affairs Committee on April 22.
- SB 546, Relating to seat belts on buses that transport children. Passed the full Senate on April 22. Received in the House.
- SB 2129, Relating to the operation of vehicles at railroad grade crossings. Passed the full Senate on April 22. Received in the House.
- SB 826, Relating to the operation of a motor vehicle in a school crossing zone while intoxicated. Passed the full Senate on April 23. Received in the House.
- HB 1846, Relating to the establishment of the Electric Truck Advisory Council. Passed the full House on April 23. Received in the Senate.
- HB 3727, Relating to a grant program to fund certain railroad grade separation projects. Committee substitute reported out of the House Transportation Committee on April 23.
- SB 826, Relating to the operation of a motor vehicle in a school crossing zone while intoxicated. Passed the full Senate on April 23. Received in the House.
- HB 2003, Relating to provision to the Texas Department of Transportation of information regarding certain high-speed rail projects. Passed to third reading in the House on April 24.
UPCOMING COMMITTEE HEARINGS
TEXAS HOUSE
- The House Transportation Funding Subcommittee will meet on Monday, April 28 at 10 am. The Committee will meet to consider the following bills of interest:
- HB 1589 Relating to requiring voter approval for the construction of a new toll project by a toll project entity
- HB 2208 Relating to requirements for certain notices or invoices relating to toll collections by a toll project entity
- HB 2297 Relating to the suspension of toll collection while an evacuation order is in effect
- HB 2725 Relating to discount programs provided by toll project entities for certain customers
- HB 4417 Relating to the use of certain money from the state highway fund for certain projects in the Safe Routes to School Program.
- HB 4473 Relating to a study by the Texas Department of Transportation of the construction and maintenance of certain county road systems in this state
- HB 4520 Relating to requirements for loans or grants provided by the Texas Transportation Commission to aviation facilities located in economically disadvantaged counties
- HB 4888 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; providing authority to issue bonds
- HB 4906 Relating to the dedication of revenue received from certain oversize or overweight vehicle permits to the state highway fund
- The House Ways and Means Committee will meet on Monday, April 28 at 8 am. The Committee will meet to consider the following bills of interest:
- HB 1483 Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the appraised value of certain residential real property that arises from the installation of energy efficiency-related improvements
- HB 3746 Relating to the exemption of certain gas and electricity from sales and use taxes
- HJR 102 Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation related to the installation of energy efficiency-related improvements
- The House Appropriations Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 29 at 8 am. The Committee will meet to consider the following bills of interest:
- HB 188 Relating to the allocation of certain constitutional transfers of money to certain funds and accounts, including the Texas severance tax revenue and oil and natural gas (Texas STRONG) defense fund
- HB 265 Relating to the allocation of certain constitutional transfers of money to the economic stabilization fund, the state highway fund, and the Grow Texas fund and to the permissible uses of money deposited to the Grow Texas fund
- HJR 35 Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of and use of money in the Grow Texas fund and allocating certain general revenues to that fund
- HJR 47 Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas severance tax revenue and oil and natural gas (Texas STRONG) defense fund
- The House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 29 at 8 am. The Committee will meet to consider the following bills of interest:
- HB 769 Relating to a grant program for neighborhood organization pedestrian infrastructure administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
- HB 3383 Relating to the authority of a local government to enter into an interlocal contract with certain governmental entities to participate in water research or planning activities
US HOUSE
- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – Subcommittee on Highways and Transit will meet on April 29 for a hearing titled, “America Builds: The Need for a Long-Term Solution for the Highway Trust Fund.”
- The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee will meet on April 30 to discuss President Trump’s reconciliation package, aiming to deliver roughly $10 billion in net savings. Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) is also considering a $150 annual fee on EVs to support the Highway Trust Fund, potentially raising $20-40 billion over the next decade.
RECENT HEARINGS
TEXAS HOUSE
- Public Education (April 22)
- HB 3662 Relating to the operation of an unmanned aircraft over a public school instructional facility (Pending)
- Transportation (April 22)
- HB 3331 Relating to the operation of vehicles transporting steel (Pending)
- HB 3514 Relating to the operation of a program by the Texas Department of Transportation to allow a real property owner to plant or replace vegetation in a right-of-way (Approved on April 25)
- HB 3528 Relating to the registration and inspection of vehicles (Approved on April 25)
- HB 3947 Relating to transportation planning by metropolitan planning organizations (Approved on April 25)
- HB 4880 Relating to sign requirements for construction or maintenance work zones (Pending)
- Defense and Veterans Subcommittee (April 22)
- HB 3722 Relating to the protection of certain airspace designated for use by Department of Defense contractors (Pending)
- Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence (April 23)
- HB 5624 Relating to the liability of a motorized off-road vehicle entity for injuries arising from certain activities (Pending)
- Natural Resources (April 23)
- HB 2109 Relating to the removal of a proposed reservoir project from the State Water Plan (Pending)
- Transportation (April 24)
- HB 2462 Relating to the use of a high occupancy vehicle lane by an operator of a motor vehicle who is pregnant (Approved on April 25)
- HB 2621 Relating to the recording and archiving of live video feed by the Texas Department of Transportation (Approved on April 25)
- HB 3187 Relating to powers of regional transportation authorities (Pending)
- HB 3539 Relating to the use of a high occupancy vehicle lane by an operator of a motor vehicle who is pregnant (Pending)
- HB 3563 Relating to the method used to select engineers and general contractors for certain transportation-related construction projects (Pending)
- HB 3726 Relating to the offense of passing certain vehicles on a highway (Pending)
- HB 4164 Relating to notice requirements on state highway projects (Pending)
- HB 4207 Relating to obstructing a railroad crossing and the liability of a railway company for such an obstruction (Pending)
- HB 4706 Relating to the applicability of certain pedestrian laws to certain sidewalk users (Pending)
- HB 5177 Relating to the use of certain tolls and charges imposed by certain counties (Pending)
- Environmental Regulation (April 24)
- HB 2266 Relating to the processing of an application for an authorization to use a standard permit for a rock or concrete crushing facility (Pending)
- HB 2440 Relating to the authority of a state agency or the state's air quality state implementation plan to impose certain restrictions with respect to a motor vehicle, including a motor vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine (Pending)
- HB 4841 Relating to a program administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to connect clean vehicle program applicants with certain vehicle owners to facilitate the issuance of grants (Pending)
- Natural Resources (April 24)
- SB 7 Relating to the oversight and financing of certain water infrastructure matters under the jurisdiction of the Texas Water Development Board (Pending)
TEXAS SENATE
- Business and Commerce (April 22)
- SB 2139 Relating to the authority of the Texas Military Department to negotiate the release of a reversionary interest and certain other interests of the state in certain property in Palo Pinto County (Approved)
- Transportation (April 23)
- SB 2707 Relating to certain oversize or overweight vehicle permit fees or surety requirements (Approved)
- Natural Resources (April 23)
- SB 2351 Relating to the construction, expansion, or modification of certain concrete plants under a standard permit (Approved)
- Local Government (April 24)
- SB 2523 Relating to the release of an area from the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality by petition (Pending)
Texas Legislature - 89th Session January 14, 2025 - June 2, 2025
- Regional Transportation Council Legislative Program for the 89th Texas Legislature 
Texas Legislature - 88th Session January 10, 2023 - May 29, 2023
- Regional Transportation Council Legislative Program for the 88th Texas Legislature
- 88th Texas Legislature Summary of Bills (2023)
Other Resources
- Texas House of Representatives
Congressional Updates important to our region
In 2005 Congress passed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) . This legislation guided surface transportation policy and funding through 2009. Nine short-term extensions passed since SAFETEA-LU expired in 2009. The final short-term extension of SAFETEA-LU extended surface transportation authorization through June 30, 2012.
On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed into law a two-year $105 billion surface transportation authorization, titled Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). MAP-21 reauthorized the federal-aid highway, highway safety and transit programs that were last authorized by SAFETEA-LU. New programs and funding levels began on October 1, 2012, and continued through September 30, 2014. The final short-term extension of MAP-21 expired on December 4, 2015.
On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act into law, which authorizes Federal highway, transit, safety and rail programs for five years at $305 billion. The FAST Act is effective October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2020.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law by President Biden on November 15, 2021, is a five-year bill that authorizes $567.5 billion for surface transportation, including roads and bridges, and an additional $550 billion for water, broadband, cybersecurity, and energy infrastructure. With a total funding amount of $1.2 trillion, the act aims to modernize infrastructure across the nation and is set to expire on September 30, 2026.
2019 RTC Principles for Federal Surface Transportation Authorization