Transportation

HB 168 amends Texas Local Government Code provisions governing debt certificates issued by municipalities, counties, and hospital districts. It updates definitions to clarify that "public work" includes infrastructure like streets, bridges, utilities, public safety facilities, and historic structures for demolition (excluding sports facilities leased to for-profit entities), and adds demolition of dangerous structures as a valid purpose for certificates. The bill shortens the maximum maturity period for these certificates from 40 to 30 years and specifies they may only be sold for cash under existing restrictions. These changes directly affect local governments seeking to finance public infrastructure projects through debt issuance.

HB 194 requires municipalities and counties that experienced a declared flood disaster in the past decade to install two types of flood safety signage in high-risk areas. Specifically, it mandates signs in public gathering spots within 100-year floodplains (areas with a 1% annual flood risk) and signs indicating safe evacuation routes outside these flood zones. The law applies only to jurisdictions meeting the disaster declaration criteria and uses FEMA or USDA flood maps to define affected areas. It takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends, aiming to improve public awareness during flood events.

HB 53 amends Texas law to clarify which local governments (municipalities, counties, and specific hospital districts) can issue short-term borrowing tools ("anticipation notes") and long-term debt instruments ("certificates of obligation"). It defines "public work" for these purposes to include infrastructure like roads, water treatment plants, flood control projects, and public safety facilities (police/fire stations), while explicitly excluding new sports venues, convention centers leased to for-profits, and hotels. The bill directly affects local governments seeking to finance public infrastructure projects by expanding eligibility for certain debt instruments and setting clear boundaries on what qualifies as a "public work." It does not create new funding but streamlines existing borrowing mechanisms for defined projects.

This bill allows local governments within regional transportation authorities to use up to 25% of their annual sales tax revenue for local mobility projects. It directly affects cities and counties that are part of these regional authorities, enabling them to fund sidewalks, trails, streetlights, traffic signals, and drainage improvements. Funds must be distributed with 50% provided at the start of the fiscal year and 50% reimbursed later, with unused funds required to pay down debt secured by a 1% sales tax. The bill creates a formal process for local units to allocate transportation funds while maintaining regional oversight.

HB 157 allows local governments within regional transportation authorities to use up to 25% of their annual sales tax revenue for local mobility projects. It directly affects cities or counties in these authorities by enabling them to fund sidewalks, trails, streetlights, traffic signals, and drainage improvements on local roads. The bill requires annual project lists and splits funding between 50% upfront and 50% reimbursement before year-end. Unused funds must pay down existing debt secured by a 1% sales tax, but the primary change is expanding local control over transportation investments.

HB 244 requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to coordinate with local flood control authorities during highway construction to minimize flooding impacts and add stormwater outfalls or other flood control measures to projects. It specifically directs TxDOT to consider existing, proposed, and expected roadways near highway projects when implementing these measures. The bill directly affects TxDOT and local flood control entities, mandating concrete coordination and infrastructure changes during highway planning. This amendment to Transportation Code Section 201.611 takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.