Legislative Affairs
Both the Texas Legislature and the United States Congress address many important transportation issues that affect the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Transportation and air quality in the North Central Texas region are impacted by legislative decisions at the State and federal levels.
NCTCOG staff regularly update policy and technical committee members, transportation partners and others interested in monitoring legislative initiatives related to the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) legislative priorities.
In order to understand current legislative initiatives, the RTC directed the development of a Transportation Funding 101 primer so legislators and the general public can better understand funding sources for transportation as well as trends that impact the amount of funding available. A shortfall of funding has been identified and the primer also addresses potential solutions to increase funding options.
March 30, 2026
FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.
On March 27, the House of Representatives rejected a Senate deal to reopen the majority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies. Despite this, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are set to resume receiving payment after President Donald Trump issued an executive order last week directing DHS Secretary Markwayne Millin to pay TSA agents immediately. Congress is now in recess until mid-April.
US Congress Monitored Bills - For more information, contact Jackie Nolasco
FROM AUSTIN
On March 24, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick named Flower Mound Senator Tan Parker chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. Senator Parker succeeds long-serving committee chair Senator Robert Nichols (R-3). After 20 years in the state legislature, Nichols announced that he will not seek reelection. In this new role, Senator Parker will lead the committee's work on key issues including highway development, freight and logistics corridors, traffic safety initiatives, and coordination with state and regional transportation entities, including the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
On March 26, Speaker Dustin Burrows released the Texas House interim charges for the 89th Legislature, ahead of the 90th Legislative Session. These are the topics that will be studied by the House in committee hearings throughout this year and often result in legislation filed during the 2027 legislative session. The full list of interim charges can be found here. The interim charges of interest for the House Transportation Committee and Transportation Funding Subcommittee include:
Transportation Committee
- Monitoring: Monitor the implementation and associated rulemaking of all legislation passed by the Committee and enacted by the 89th Legislature to ensure that legislative purposes are properly implemented, including the following:
- SB 1555, relating to a grant program to fund certain railroad grade separation projects; and
- SB 1939, relating to the ship channel improvement revolving fund.
- Legislative Prioritization of TxDOT Projects: Study the need for TxDOT to receive prioritization direction from members of the Texas Legislature, including when identifying local projects for construction or maintenance.
- TxDOT Construction Communications: Review TxDOT’s planning and communication strategies for roadway and exit closures during and after construction. Make recommendations on how planning and communication can be improved.
- Speed Enforcement in Work and School Zones: Evaluate measures to enhance roadside worker and public safety, including limited authorization of speed enforcement mechanisms in high-speed work zones and school zones. Consider measures that would safeguard Texans’ privacy, prohibit automated retention of data, and prevent citations from being issued by third-party entities.
- Agency Oversight: Pursuant to the broad oversight responsibilities granted to the Committee under Section 301.014, Government Code, and the House Rules of Procedure, monitor the agencies under the Committee’s jurisdiction, including for fraud, waste, and abuse, where applicable. The jurisdiction of the Transportation Committee includes the following agencies:
- The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV);
- The TxDOT; and
- The Texas Transportation Commission (TTC).
Transportation Funding Subcommittee
- TxDOT Funding: Examine the formula funding and discretionary funding categories used by the TxDOT to allocate dollars for planning and construction of projects. Examine the adequacy of current funding revenue to meet projected transportation needs. Evaluate continuing the County Transportation Infrastructure Fund grant program and assess its benefits to rural road infrastructure and public safety. Recommend ways to improve transportation-related funding, allocation methodologies, and transparency.
On March 27, Lt. Governor Patrick released the Texas Senate interim charges for the 89th Legislature, ahead of the 90th Legislative Session. The full list of interim charges can be found here. The Senate interim charges of interest related to transportation include:
Senate Transportation Committee
- Prioritizing Public Safety at Rail-Grade Crossings: Examine the Texas Department of Transportation’s implementation of increased funding for rail grade separation projects. Examine how the agency is using these new resources to prioritize projects for mobility and safety concerns. Make recommendations to ensure that expanded state investments deliver measurable improvements in freight movement and community safety.
- Studying the Deployment of Autonomous Vehicle Technology: Study the deployment of autonomous vehicle technology as authorized by SB 2807, (89th Session), including rulemaking adopted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Quantify the impact on traffic-related collisions. Make recommendations to ensure that the continued deployment of autonomous vehicles prioritizes public safety and aligns with the evolving technological landscape on Texas roads.
Senate Finance Committee
- Evaluating Transportation Resources: Study current transportation funding from all sources and the long-term needs of Texas drivers. Assess the implementation of funding appropriated by the 89th Legislature and make recommendations to ensure the effective and efficient use of transportation funding.
February Texas Transportation Committee (TTC) Hearing
The TTC met on February 26. Routine information was presented for their approval, including highway improvements, routine maintenance, construction and rehabilitation of buildings, and Federal and State aviation awards. Additionally, the Commission considered the award of state funding to local entities for projects selected in TxDOT’s Off-System Rail Grade Separation State Fund Program Call for Projects.
March Texas Transportation Committee (TTC) Hearing
The TTC met on March 25. TxDOT presented on Digital Delivery, their process of shifting to a data-driven, digital approach to planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining its statewide infrastructure. Additionally, the Commission agreed with the RTC and approved Regional Toll Revenue in accordance with project agreements for the GoCarma Software System Transition across DFW managed lanes, the Cotton Belt Veloweb Trail corridor in Dallas County, and rail capacity and bridge improvements in Tarrant County.
Highlighted Bills in US Congress
- H.R. 7437 - Bridges and Safety Infrastructure for Community Success (BASICS) Act: The BASICS Act, introduced by Representatives Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI) and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), is a marker bill proposed to be included in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization that will replace the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) expiring in September. The bill would increase the local share of federal formula transportation funding from roughly 14–15 percent to about 25 percent, providing more predictable funding for counties, cities, MPOs, and regional partners. The BASICS Act aims to deliver regional priority projects faster by strengthening formula programs such as the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG), investing in repairing bridges through a 25 percent local suballocation of bridge funds, and improving roadway safety by requiring 25 percent of Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds to be delivered regionally. It also strengthens transparency and collaboration by enhancing consultation requirements and expanding metropolitan and rural planning capacity.
- H.R. 7390 - Safely Ensuring Lives Future Deployment and Research In Vehicle Evolution Act of 2026 (SELF DRIVE) Act: The SELF DRIVE Act, introduced by Bob Latta (R-OH) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), would establish a national framework for autonomous vehicles by setting federal safety and performance standards, requiring manufacturer safety assurances, creating a national crash-data reporting system, and clarifying federal authority over AV deployment. The bill advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee - Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade on February 10; however, the timing of further committee action and a potential House floor vote remains uncertain.
Upcoming Committee Hearings
TEXAS SENATE
- The Senate Finance Committee will meet on Monday, July 27, at 10:30am. The Committee will meet to discuss the following interim charge of interest:
- Evaluating Transportation Resources: Study current transportation funding from all sources and the long-term needs of Texas drivers. Assess the implementation of funding appropriated by the 89th Legislature and make recommendations to ensure the effective and efficient use of transportation funding.
Recent Committee Hearings
US HOUSE
- The House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade met on February 10 and held a markup on twelve bills to modernize motor vehicle safety, promote automotive innovation, strengthen consumer protections, and address emerging issues related to autonomous and electric vehicles. The Subcommittee favorably reported several measures, including the SELF DRIVE Act, which would establish federal safety standards for autonomous vehicles and advanced on a narrow 12–11 vote. Having cleared consideration in committee, it's unclear when the SELF DRIVE Act may reach the floor for a chamber-wide vote.
- The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology met on February 11 to examine the current state of U.S. surface transportation research and development and to assess key issues relevant to authorizing future surface transportation programs. The hearing reviewed the scope of existing federal research efforts to inform priorities for the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization.
- The House Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies met on March 5 to conduct an oversight hearing featuring testimony from Brian Harrison, Acting Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Mitch Beam, Deputy Inspector General of the Department of Transportation (DOT). The discussion centered on the oversight responsibilities, challenges, and efforts of their respective offices to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, while ensuring effective use of federal funds.
Texas Legislature - 89th Session January 14, 2025 - June 2, 2025
- Regional Transportation Council Legislative Program for the 89th Texas Legislature
- 89th Texas Legislature Summary of Bills (2025)
- 89th Texas Legislature Final Actions Presentation - Transportation
Texas Legislature - 88th Session January 10, 2023 - May 29, 2023
- Regional Transportation Council Legislative Program for the 88th Texas Legislature
- 88th Texas Legislature Summary of Bills (2023)
Other Resources
Congressional Updates important to our region
In 2005 Congress passed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) . This legislation guided surface transportation policy and funding through 2009. Nine short-term extensions passed since SAFETEA-LU expired in 2009. The final short-term extension of SAFETEA-LU extended surface transportation authorization through June 30, 2012.
On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed into law a two-year $105 billion surface transportation authorization, titled Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). MAP-21 reauthorized the federal-aid highway, highway safety and transit programs that were last authorized by SAFETEA-LU. New programs and funding levels began on October 1, 2012, and continued through September 30, 2014. The final short-term extension of MAP-21 expired on December 4, 2015.
On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act into law, which authorizes Federal highway, transit, safety and rail programs for five years at $305 billion. The FAST Act is effective October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2020.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law by President Biden on November 15, 2021, is a five-year bill that authorizes $567.5 billion for surface transportation, including roads and bridges, and an additional $550 billion for water, broadband, cybersecurity, and energy infrastructure. With a total funding amount of $1.2 trillion, the act aims to modernize infrastructure across the nation and is set to expire on September 30, 2026.
2025 RTC Principles for Federal Surface Transportation Authorization