Passed 84th Regular Session:
- HB 1929 Relating to the payment in certain counties of expenses associated with the transportation of county residents and visitors for civic, community, educational, and recreational activities.
Synopsis: HB 1929 expands the authorization to use county general funds for the transportation of senior citizens for civic, community, educational, and recreational activities to include Dallas County, in addition to Harris County. The bill also allows the expenses paid out of the county general funds by the commissioners courts of Dallas and Harris counties to cover transportation to these activities for residents and visitors, more generally, if a majority of the costs paid were for the transportation of senior citizens
2. HB 3666 Relating to the withdrawal of the territory of an emergency services district from the territory of a metropolitan rapid transit authority.
Synopsis: Section 48-e of the Texas Constitution and Chapter 775 of the Health and Safety Code authorize the creation of emergency services districts (ESDs). ESDs provide emergency services such as fire prevention and control, first responder medical services, and ambulance support. They provide these services by collecting property and/or sales taxes.
In Travis County, many of the ESDs also contribute sales tax revenue to the local metropolitan transportation authority known as Capital Metro. One Travis County ESD reports that it is contributing sales tax revenue to Capital Metro but is not currently receiving any services. Furthermore, this ESD would like to spend this revenue on other items.
Current law does not provide a mechanism by which a Travis County ESD may withdraw from Capital Metro. C.S.H.B. 3666 creates such a mechanism. More specifically, C.S.H.B. 3666 allows a Travis County ESD to withdraw from Capital Metro if the ESD’s governing body receives a petition, calls an election, and the withdrawal receives the support of a majority of the registered voters who vote in the election.
Legislation vetoed by the Governor, 84th Regular Session
- HB 499 Relating to the public transportation advisory committee.
Synopsis: H.B. 499 would have amended the Transportation Code to change the terms of the public transportation advisory committee membership appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives, from serving at the pleasure of the appointing officer to serving staggered six-year terms with the terms of three members expiring on February 1 of each odd numbered year. The bill would have required a vacancy on the committee to be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for that position.