Texas Legislature

2025, 89th Legislature

The 89th session saw several bills attacking multimodal transportation across Texas – anything other than cars and trucks were at risk of losing essential funding. Local leaders and advocates statewide pushed back, and four major bills were defeated. These bills had two things in common:  1- they required the state to counter locally-made decisions, and 2- they prohibited investment in a multimodal system.
 
  1. SB 2722 — would have prevented Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) from carrying out plans to build bike and pedestrian trails. Now, Mayor Whitmire and County Commissioners will negotiate to ensure the City is fairly compensated for police and fire response on toll roads.
  2. SB 2519 — would have stopped Austin’s voter-approved light rail, Project Connect. It also would have prevented other municipalities from using a similar funding strategy, compromising future transit projects. 
  3. SB 1557 — would have taken money from Dallas Area Rapid Transit and reallocated it to surrounding suburban areas, reducing the frequency and reliability of public transit. 
  4. HB 4348 — would have prevented cities from reallocating road space for multi-modal transportation unless a strict criteria of standards are met. And punitively withdrawn affordable housing dollars if the rule were violated.

 

There were some significant losses as well. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) requested regular funding from the Texas legislature for the Heartland Flyer – an Amtrak line from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City. Texas lawmakers pulled it from the budget, despite $5.3M in direct benefits, plus $23.7M in economic activity. This proves another reason to reform TxDOT’s budget, of which 98% is constitutionally dedicated to roads. If this rail line were in TxDOT’s hands, this important element of our transportation system would not be subject to lawmaker appropriations. 
 
Just as importantly, SB 1555 was signed by the Governor, which ensures public money for railroad under- and overpasses to reduce the number of road crossings and increase safety and access. And SB 1013 is being voted on today, which would clarify the definition of a sidewalk to ensure driver accountability to the safety of those using it. 
 
A tremendous Thank You to all advocates who responded to our calls to action, and emailed, called, and visited with our elected leaders! Raising your voice made a difference!
 

Bills to Watch

See what transportation bills we followed, and where they ended up at the end of the session.

Texas Legislative Timeline

 

Legislative priorities

The common theme throughout our priorities is allowing for transportation freedom. It is about people having choices in mobility — to ensure that all people have access to schools, jobs, medical care, groceries, and other resources. 

Listen to Miriam Schoenfield discuss Texas Transportation and TXSC priorities with Representative John Bucy: 
Happy Hour 209: Transportation in Texas Under Trump with Rep. John Bucy and Rethink 35’s Miriam Scholenfield. 41.21

Originally published by Progress Texas, by Tatum Owens, April 25, 2025. “Progress Texas is a rapid response media organization promoting progressive messages and actions. While campaigns come and go, we’re the permanent home for progressive media and action in our state.”

 

TXSC Transportation Policy Paper

Legislature can improve our Texas transportation system by allowing TxDOT to choose the right mode of transportation for the right challenge, backed by expertise, public input, and efficient design solutions. Our priorities for transportation are:

HJR 58, Bucy, HJR 63, Walle/SJR 33, Miles: TxDOT’s funding must allow flexibility to invest in more transportation options.

SB 2770, Cook: One Texas Transportation Commissioner (TTC) must have multimodal expertise. 

SB 2732, Cook: TxDOT must hold District-wide meetings. 

HB 5413, Hinojosa: TxDOT must have the flexibility to optimize roadways in urban areas.

 

Articles to Read

Transportation Advocacy Day, April 3, 2025

We took our transportation issues and thanks to Austin, meeting with almost 30 legislators, including members of the House and Senate Transportation Committees. A special thank you to Senator Cook for welcoming us and acknowledging our work on the Senate Floor!

 

Advocacy Day Prep meeting — listen to the audio and view the slides. 60 mins total.

 

2023, 88th Legislature

The coalition promoted five legislative priorities, along with wider agendas of partner organizations. One priority bill became policy.

We organized and participated in two lobby days, one focusing on our agenda and one supporting advocates advocating for their own concerns.

Legislative Agenda 

Safe Neighborhood Streets: HB 2224, Hernandez / SB 1663, Alvarado.

TXSC advocacy led by Farm&City.

Allows cities to set safe speed limits on residential streets at 20 or 25 mph, which matches what counties are already allowed to do. Removes cumbersome bureaucracy and costs to implement. Will increase quality of life, economic growth and property values, as crashes, injuries, and fatalities are reduced.

OUTCOME: 

  • House passed on 4/20/23.
  • Senate Committee report sent to Calendars, 05/05/23.
 

Transparent ID for TxDOT Field Staff and Contractors: HB 1969, Morales Shaw / SB 1775 Alvarado. 

TXSC advocacy led by STOP TxDOT I-45.

Requires on-site identification for TxDOT contractors and subcontractors when imminent domain is a factor, via a visible ID badge and vehicle decal. Will increase public awareness of TxDOT projects, and protection from potential scammers.

OUTCOME: TxDOT committed to enact internally without legislative action.
 

State Highway and Transportation Fund: HJR 77, Walle / SJR 37, Miles et al. 

TXSC advocacy led by Air Alliance Houston.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Texas State Highway Fund to be used on multi modal transportation projects that safely get Texans where they need to go. Allows TxDOT to build projects to best meet the needs of the diverse Texas population.

OUTCOME:

  • House referred to Transportation Committee, 4/12/23.
  • Senate co-author authorized, 2/21/23.
 

Local Street Design Alternatives in EIS: HB 5154, Morales Shaw. 

TXSC advocacy led by STOP TxDOT I-45.

For highway projects, requires TxDOT to consider safety, economy, multimodal, and impact on adjacent communities and environment, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

OUTCOME: House referred to Transportation Committee, 3/24/23.
 

Fair Representation at Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs): HB 5156, Morales Shaw. 

TXSC advocacy led by Farm&City.

Requires Texas Metropolitan Planning Organizations to analyze their decision-making strategies to ensure democratic processes are aligned to the principle of one-person, one-vote — giving proportional weight by population.

OUTCOME: House referred to Transportation Committee, 3/24/23.