June 2, 2023

Mark Your Calendar


September 22, 2023, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM --TCNT Annual Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport, with Congressional Update and Transit CEO Panel Discussion. Registration Details

LEGISLATIVE HEADLINES



Tension Over Property Taxes Produces Rare Public Clash Between Dan Patrick, Greg Abbott


texastribune.org


When the Texas Legislature ended its regular session Monday without a deal on property taxes, it was unsurprising to see the House and Senate openly feuding with each other.


The Senate’s presiding officer, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, has long dogged House leadership as too moderate and too slow to act on his chamber’s priorities.


What came next, however, was far more unusual: Gov. Greg Abbott called a special session on cutting property taxes and asked lawmakers to focus exclusively on one method of relief. The House quickly obliged, but the Senate defied Abbott by passing a broader bill. And when Abbott issued a statement clearly siding with the House, Patrick erupted.


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Mark Your Calendars to Watch a June 6 Conversation about North Texas and the 2023 Legislative Session


texastribune.org


The Texas Tribune discussion will feature state Reps. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake; Victoria Neave Criado, D-Dallas; and Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie.


Video Link

Glossary


Key Dates

A Little Birdy Told Me...


The Legislative Session is over...or is it?? The House gaveled out of the Regular Session and the first Special Session in nearly the same breath. Meanwhile, the Lt. Governor let it be known that the Governor had overreached in his unusually very specific first special session call of this legislative cycle.


While the House got straight down to business on the first special session, the Speaker of the House told House members not to pack up just yet. According to Quorum Report, the Speaker is expecting the second special session call from the Governor shortly.

TRANSIT RELATED BILLS SENT TO/SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR


HB 2190 Canales, Terry(D)

Relating to the terminology used to describe transportation-related accidents.

Bill History: 05-30-23 G Sent to the Governor


HB 2230 Canales, Terry (D)

Relating to the determination of the sufficient balance of the economic stabilization fund for the purpose of allocating certain constitutional transfers of money to that fund and the state highway fund.

Companions: SB 225 Nichols, Robert (Identical)

Bill History: 05-22-23 G Sent to the Governor


HB 2313 Thompson, Senfronia(D)

Relating to training materials for certain transportation network company drivers regarding human trafficking awareness and prevention.

Companions: SB 1369 Paxton, Angela (Identical) 3-16-23 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Business and Commerce

Bill History: 05-26-23 G Sent to the Governor


HB 2518 Bell, Keith(R)

Relating to public work contracts, including contracts on public property leased to a nongovernmental entity.

Bill History: 05-22-23 G Sent to the Governor


HB 3323 Goodwin, Vikki(D)

Relating to food system security and resiliency planning.

Companions: SB 758 West, Royce (Identical) 05-11-23 S Placed on Senate Calendar

Bill History: 05-26-23 G Sent to the Governor


HB 3599 Thierry, Shawn(D)

Relating to an exemption from certain motor fuel taxes for, and registration fees for motor vehicles owned by, certain nonprofit food banks.

Bill History: 05-24-23 G Sent to the Governor


HB 4015 Thompson, Ed(R)

Relating to the disposition of certain fees collected for the rail safety program.

Bill History: 09-01-23 G Earliest effective date


HB 4123 Guillen, Ryan(R)

Relating to the dissemination of criminal history record information by the Department of Public Safety.

Companions: SB 1785 Zaffirini, Judith (Identical) 03-20-23 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Business and Commerce

Bill History: 05-30-23 G Sent to the Governor


HB 4559 Darby, Drew(R)

Relating to the application of statutes that classify political subdivisions according to population.

Bill History: 05-22-23 G Sent to the Governor


SB 505 Nichols, Robert(R)

Relating to imposing an additional fee for the registration of an electric vehicle.

Companions: HB 2199 Canales, Terry (Identical) 04-26-23 H Laid on the table-subject to call-see SB 505

Bill History: 09-01-23 G Earliest Effective Date


SCR 2 Nichols, Robert(R)

Extending the duty of the comptroller of public accounts under Section 7-c, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, to deposit certain tax revenue to the state highway fund.

Companions: HCR 47 Canales, Terry (Identical) 04-17-23 H Committee action pending House Appropriations

General Remarks: This continuing resolution extends the expiration dates for Proposition 7 to 2042 for the $5B per biennium that comes from general sales tax, and to 2039 for the portion of Proposition 7 that comes from motor vehicle sales and rental taxes.

Bill History: 05-22-23 G Sent to the Governor

Back at the Ranch...


From RT&S: TEXRail Celebrates Two Million Rides


From Fort Worth Report: Fort Worth’s Eastside Transportation Plan offers Comprehensive Approach to Safety, Land Use


From Community Impact: 5 Ongoing Construction Projects in Richardson


From Fort Worth Report: Trinity Metro’s Modern Bus Stops Could Change How Residents View Public Transit


From Conde Nast Traveler and Fort Worth Star Telegram: Where to Eat, Stay and Play in Fort Worth, Texas


From Cross Timbers Gazette: DCTA: Celebrate National Trails Day on the A-train Rail Trail