By: Cain H.B. No. 3019
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of certain metropolitan rapid transit
authorities and related entities to request and receive federal
funds.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 451, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Section 451.069 to read as follows:
Sec. 451.069. SUBMISSION OF REQUESTS FOR FEDERAL FUNDS;
CERTAIN AUTHORITIES. (a) This section applies only to an authority
confirmed before July 1, 1985, in which the principal municipality
had a population of less than 850,000 at the time of the authority's
creation, and to any local government corporation created under
Chapter 431 of the Transportation Code and Chapter 394 of the Local
Government Code to which the authority appoints one or more members
of the governing body.
(b) The authority, or any other entity described in
subsection (a), may not apply for or receive federal funds,
including capital investment grants, to be used to support
construction or operation of a light rail transit system without
the approval of the governor.
(c) In determining whether to grant an approval under
Subsection (b), the governor shall consider:
(1) whether the governing body of the principal
municipality has taken actions to adequately address public health
and safety issues impacting individuals experiencing homelessness
and citizens of the municipality, including precluding camping in
public places and areas around transit stops, stations, and other
right-of-way so as to enhance the safety of users of the transit
authority system;
(2) whether the principal municipality has taken
adequate measures to enforce voter-approved restrictions against
camping, sitting or lying in public spaces so as to protect public
safety and the safety of users of the transit authority system; and
(3) the degree to which the request for funding will
compete with requests from other entities in Texas and therefore
result in a competitive disadvantage for the state.
(d) For purposes of determining whether the requirement of
subsection (c)(2) has been satisfied the governor my request that
the office of the attorney general review any voter-approved
restrictions and actions taken subsequent thereto and provide an
opinion as to whether the principal municipality is enforcing the
restrictions in accordance with the voter-approved proposition.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.