[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6093024,"mediaKeyId","2850170-8695886606189a271da45dafd3dc5610","parentId",2850170,"title","Senate Transportation Committee advances a package of bills on airports, VIN inspections, memorials and other measures","audioSeconds",3385,"startMs",865000,"endMs",4250000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2850170-8695886606189a271da45dafd3dc5610&start=865&end=4250","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2850170-8695886606189a271da45dafd3dc5610/thumbnail_865000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6093024/Texas/Senate-Transportation-Committee-advances-a-package-of-bills-on-airports-VIN-inspections-memorials-and-other-measures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093024-b27adfff2f4c2a3fa4a2fdcbca4e809e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770535123&Signature=LgQzaQvbiImktl1LPyFpl9P1g~iVFRTYPT9gOhcsLwj6qvCFaNYU0LLyggkL7jf9AUdxiEplLHX6vMVmBTBw2MCmzFanpzwsupK3pSYtZZMuiHf57MWaart7BiXU72dt0-KvsZ9CzSCSwzpLsyQMUWDxjZLGRgneJei132cBl3WnMINbCdGvct~~wd9LY7BGdQOCwU8AwMb6Zd1l~VBKv3Hz~byPZtg4hVG5NJ9E9Ex1L6y3rLS8R1MG2Zm6FI3qPPpWMYUljJCdstXQuAWWDPEJqf7360nLRgtAk6tCaB--dRZGIYIOdGMiHIDR3AzyDu4~gR2qIR-q5JTaPzXzyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Legislature","date","2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday advanced multiple bills to the full Senate after hearings and brief presentations. Several measures received unanimous or near-unanimous support and were recommended for placement on the local and uncontested calendar where noted.

Key actions and outcomes at a glance:

- SB 22 43 (Sen. West) — Grants the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles authority to require VIN inspections by rule in cases where trailers or semi-trailers cannot be positively identified; reported favorably to the full Senate (committee recorded 6 ayes, no nays).

- SB 19 19 (Sen. West) — Increases the internal settlement limit for TxDOT liability claims between $10,000 and $100,000 to allow such claims to be processed internally; reported favorably to the full Senate (committee recorded 6 ayes, no nays).

- SB 18 95 (Sen. Perry) — Designates State Highway Loop 88 (a relief route around Lubbock) as the \"First Responders Memorial Loop\"; reported favorably to the full Senate and recommended for local and uncontested calendar placement (committee recorded 6 ayes, no nays).

- SB 20 39 (Sen. Hancock) — Amend traffic-code rules to treat nonpedestrian sidewalk users who are using crosswalks (e.g., bicycles, e-bikes, scooters) as having pedestrian obligations and protections for crosswalk use; reported favorably to the full Senate and recommended for local and uncontested calendar placement (committee recorded 6 ayes, no nays).

- SB 13 94 (Sen. Hall) — (Related matter discussed in committee; vote recorded) Reported favorably to the full Senate (committee recorded 6 ayes, no nays) and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar.

- SB 2 49 (Sen. Flores committee substitute) — Created an account for memorial markers (technical/administrative change to permit donations and subsequent appropriation); substitute adopted and reported favorably (committee recorded 6 ayes, no nays).

Each measure was laid out, discussed briefly or heard with testimony where relevant, and then reported to the full Senate with the committee’s recommendation. Where recorded, the committee vote tallies were 6 ayes and no nays.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on Transportation April 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee reported a set of bills favorably to the full Senate — most by unanimous or near-unanimous voice/roll call — covering airport grants, VIN inspections, memorial designation, claims settlements and other transportation matters.","taxTitle","Committee on Transportation, Senate, Legislative, Texas","taxId",16854,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093029,"Panel advances bill to codify flashing brake/stop lamps after DPS guidance",3626,487000,4113000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2850170-8695886606189a271da45dafd3dc5610&start=487&end=4113","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2850170-8695886606189a271da45dafd3dc5610/thumbnail_487000.jpg","/articles/6093029/Texas/Panel-advances-bill-to-codify-flashing-brakestop-lamps-after-DPS-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093029-2dafdcce832a6e638037a71312b13467/orig.mp4?Expires=1770535123&Signature=AZmst~~lTNYtnvrBMVjHwiEI5yvYmHtWlEELa-Wk0-iemZ9yb-ZifKZSmF1nwgsN3aCfqo~sDnfgDdT~KsIEUQNnYd7ljRny8zh9jcrjfsoNoXh9bfaNbr6uhdlOA5i3zd-vE0mnf3r2vogqIUqCagUG2RBdVvYd5In8yye7Y0-FBfZk0vA3TWZK0cEtxyBYLBAFzKcRbfdFaJCVwnYhg~jF72jD1FbFPkcU7PGwXOxIzUSkuV~cFH-fUyLAM6Tb2vkBccA8jSXI0~GaDr-hYznBpHb3wL~Pii-09AFrVtSoc0p0nrOWknNbC6EdAkqCVKn0DoUwsoBQpgBkTnjyEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Parker laid out Senate Bill 14 93, which would codify a Texas Department of Public Safety interpretation that certain pulsing or flashing stop lamps comply with federal standards and may be used on vehicles to increase visibility during sudden stops.

Kevin Cannon, CEO of SBT Distributors, testified in support and said his Texas-based company and multiple other providers sell and install the technology to dealers and the public. Cannon noted the bill is a refile of a prior session measure and said the DPS had issued a bulletin affirming that pulsing brake lights are allowable and effective. \"We're hoping that the state of Texas will affirm the interpretation of DPS that will allow this lifesaving technology to be used and make Texas roads safer,\" Cannon said.

Senators asked about market competition and whether other providers exist; Cannon said there are several vendors operating in Texas. The committee reported SB 14 93 favorably to the full Senate and recommended placement on the local and uncontested calendar.","Senators advanced SB 14 93 to codify Texas DPS guidance that flashing stop lamps (pulsing brake lights) comply with federal standards and may be used to improve road safety; industry representatives testified in support.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093034,"Panel advances bill clarifying release of crash-report data to law enforcement and records partners",4153,31000,4184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2850170-8695886606189a271da45dafd3dc5610&start=31&end=4184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2850170-8695886606189a271da45dafd3dc5610/thumbnail_31000.jpg","/articles/6093034/Texas/Panel-advances-bill-clarifying-release-of-crash-report-data-to-law-enforcement-and-records-partners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093034-bd73cfb9f3b015be2c1dc1497084210d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770535123&Signature=mvunR4zC46zL20ZM7DYl2rmFnZFsLu7-j3GJO8ELygge08mkDI0M8xaIsPzMcUP0e1vg49VU2Ip2crVrD-2y8Hng-zIQJ~u2mlZFancy0W5Wr0snyp~GrEZgQpOddRML929MAxDxZjKD-oRAFfub7iLU~AN1bZ-m~dIs2YfRMU8zxKBzWim81U7OH5FDH9OAFGz15V2eRtrIq~9qVu4NzxZ3LKSiGsstxVkccycuPJAsFarSsy3QnJbrjZABdJbm4ek-yAUMdBoupBAJFV0hC8uSGavkh6O4JTTPFRRiZC6eUW~JPIxunZt7L8sC-bQYys-lizpGBgP9BJVIjqWcnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Hagenboo laid out Senate Bill 15 98 as a measure to clarify how collision reports may be used and shared for law-enforcement investigatory purposes. \"SB 15 98 relates to the release of a motor vehicle collision report information to law enforcement to help solve crimes,\" the senator said.

The bill would (1) explicitly state that collision reports may be used for law-enforcement investigations, (2) clarify that collision-report information can be released to a person acting on behalf of a law-enforcement agency (to address confusion over the term \"agent\"), and (3) clarify that non-confidential vehicle identification number (VIN) information may be released to records-management partners for the same purposes.

Supporters included Brian Hawthorne, representing the Sheriffs' Association of Texas, who praised a CARFAX for Police program as a free investigative tool for agencies: \"CARFAX for police has the ability for us to start using some different data...and allows us to move forward and solve crimes. The one thing I will tell you that you don't hear me say often up here is...it is free.\" Chris Veil of CARFAX testified in support and said the substitute resolves three areas of ambiguity in current statute and would help agencies participate in CARFAX for Police.

The committee recorded no questions that changed policy direction and closed public testimony before leaving the bill pending. The committee later reported SB 15 98 favorably to the full Senate and recommended it be placed on the local and uncontested calendar.","The committee advanced SB 15 98 to clarify permissible uses and release of collision-report information for law-enforcement investigations and to clarify access by records-management partners such as CARFAX for Police.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093039,"Committee backs lower local match for state aviation grants in economically disadvantaged counties",747,965000,1712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2850170-8695886606189a271da45dafd3dc5610&start=965&end=1712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2850170-8695886606189a271da45dafd3dc5610/thumbnail_965000.jpg","/articles/6093039/Texas/Committee-backs-lower-local-match-for-state-aviation-grants-in-economically-disadvantaged-counties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093039-7741bff02e50609ddad9b567ac1d29af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770535123&Signature=ThZ7BQRV6NDVsoMitb0kMjEjBjA1PuQqyUxYhAX4GJ9ul72YRid05cRlVleFwdGZGEw3CBWUdJ2-Yk1ManUFQZOrwBpPEXaDQ1j5awZEcUdpLljlg3Ee5MGCb~zOiep6JRxbfljcVDFnOyT05D5LN-Tpqq-AxVptdIqFqZ39Kp8Qw0qQHoLCZrWRkIQs-TV~R6TjX7RYeCKCxKBQQL6lCOuiXFsYxdHTQ0d65oheHrbcZM~MDDsFWh-jcatZdaYC7oSA~cK6YLWIRiOY~Qzq2YlkToUnmOheXmd2DJThI~YasDDFUm9j6HQ4Z1w~CYpFuA26EQqVJ1ZBUwaey7A6bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Nichols explained that Senate Bill 22 26 would reduce the local match requirement for certain state aviation grants from 10% to 5% for airports in economically disadvantaged counties that cannot provide the usual 10% local share. \"Many general aviation airports do not have available funding from the airport sponsor, such as those in economically disadvantaged counties,\" Nichols said, arguing the change would expand opportunities to secure needed aviation capital projects.

Dan Harmon, Aviation Director for the Texas Department of Transportation, told the committee that TxDOT administers grants for general aviation airports and that 182 of roughly 264 airports in the state qualify for federal funding; the remainder are eligible only for state funding. Harmon described the recent federal 95% federal funding rates in the FAA Reauthorization Act for FY2025–26 and said TxDOT has historically mixed state and federal funds to make projects whole when funds are available.

Harmon said the state is constrained by statute from providing more than 90% state participation to state-only airports under current law; SB 22 26 would help airports that cannot meet a local match requirement. He said Lancaster Municipal Airport is eligible for federal funding and historically has received a mix of federal and state funds, but some small airports in disadvantaged counties cannot meet even reduced local-match thresholds.

Committee members asked whether general-law cities or urban counties could use similar programs; Nichols and TxDOT staff said the reduced match would only apply to airports in counties that meet the bill’s economically disadvantaged criteria. Discussion included whether some small airports in wealthier counties might also have difficulty meeting a 10% match; the author said he would continue discussions with TxDOT about specific cases such as Lancaster.

The committee voted to report SB 22 26 favorably to the full Senate; the clerk recorded the recommendation with 6 ayes and no nays.","The committee advanced SB 22 26 to lower the local match for state aviation grants from 10% to 5% for airports in economically disadvantaged counties, with TxDOT testimony explaining eligibility and interaction with federal funding.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093044,"Senate committee advances bill to regulate commercial autonomous vehicle operations, adopts substitute",2059,1962000,4021000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2850170-8695886606189a271da45dafd3dc5610&start=1962&end=4021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2850170-8695886606189a271da45dafd3dc5610/thumbnail_1962000.jpg","/articles/6093044/Texas/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-regulate-commercial-autonomous-vehicle-operations-adopts-substitute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093044-999f3c69acb9cfcc4eae9af826535755/orig.mp4?Expires=1770535123&Signature=bjdWmQN~FDE~IESkmN90STQxFRbYlTCR01U-G4p6vWgS1goUzAkUAK~pHg81Y~I9eqn7UZlAe5VrBAnzSG62QEkOQJmHwh5EiXL9qxsrmfXiW6leH213HcACOBjawf4fnPlJqVE3RmfQjI9rKQCHH3X-5HJj7yNPwxJryx2O5IWlj~zDw2UNI3I-YVGkhSV0ClNqsu9CyLWUX2KRUuyUMIOCksaMNeNY7NGTn7W3ArekJ~0gYCxygM~3O2IL0ydNk5yt4onmPx~BVqXOiw32A~4NALiroI3yBAzOmuyAHIAnRx36BvhFiiHWuWiP-POMOIYVVEVDaRZBxFnk98zV8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Nichols, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, told members that Senate Bill 24 25 would update Texas law to require automated-vehicle companies to provide information to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and to submit first-responder interaction plans to the Department of Public Safety before operating commercially without a human driver.

The bill, with a committee substitute adopted in the hearing, clarifies definitions (including SAE-aligned language for Level 3 operation), sets an authorization process for commercial AV fleets, and gives DMV and DPS the authority to suspend or revoke an AV operator’s authorization under specified circumstances. \"If in the rare situation you end up with an operator who is not doing a good job, then at some point there needs to be some, regulation by the state and that is you have authority to operate without a driver or you do not until you correct whatever the deal is,\" Senator Nichols said during his presentation.

The committee substitute, distributed to members and stakeholders shortly before the hearing, made several changes described by the author: alignment of definitions with SAE standards, clarification that penalties are assessed at the fleet (authorization-holder) level rather than per vehicle, an expedited administrative review process, and clarification that commercial AVs remain subject to existing commercial-motor-vehicle law where applicable.

Public testimony spanned industry groups, safety and policy advocates and private citizens. Terry Hall, testifying for a group opposing the bill, said a concern remained about liability: \"The poison pill here is removing the manufacturers from any liability for the actual operation of the vehicles that they're unleashing on our public roads.\" David Dunmoyer of the Texas Public Policy Foundation supported the bill, saying it provides \"a robust authorization process that weeds out bad actors before they even hit our roadways.\"

Industry witnesses described Texas as a key market and urged limited, clear rules to allow continued investment. Peter Schulz, representing Tesla's Full Self-Driving development team, said Tesla planned a robotaxi launch in Austin and praised the bill's focus on safety and innovation. Ariel Wolf, general counsel for the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, said: \"Texas is a leader... Texas has attracted significant AV investment,\" and urged continued collaboration on rulemaking. Bart Teeter, formerly of Texas DPS and now with Bot Auto (a level-4 truck developer), emphasized safety benefits: \"For the first time in my professional life, we may have a chance to make a significant dent\" in commercial-vehicle fatalities through AV deployment.

Opponents and some committee members pressed for clarity on liability, mean time to failure/repair metrics and how enforcement would work in practice. Senator Bettencourt asked industry witnesses about uptime and mean time to repair; Tesla’s representative said reliability metrics would be clearer as the service approaches launch. In response to concerns about liability, an industry witness said he was not aware of any language in the substitute that would absolve manufacturers of liability and noted that federal defect and recall enforcement would remain applicable.

After testimony and discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and voted to advance the measure. The committee recorded a 6-0 vote to adopt the substitute and advance the bill with the committee’s recommendation.

The committee chair said he would continue working with stakeholders and legislative counsel to correct any drafting issues on the floor if necessary and encouraged members and stakeholders to send follow-up concerns to his office.

The committee’s action moves SB 24 25, with the substitute, to the full Senate for further consideration.","The Senate Transportation Committee adopted a committee substitute and advanced SB 24 25 to the full Senate after extended testimony from industry, public-safety and consumer witnesses on liability, safety standards and oversight for commercial autonomous vehicle (AV) operations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate Transportation Committee advances a package of bills on airports, VIN inspections, memorials and other measures

Panel advances bill to codify flashing brake/stop lamps after DPS guidance

Panel advances bill clarifying release of crash-report data to law enforcement and records partners

Committee backs lower local match for state aviation grants in economically disadvantaged counties

Senate committee advances bill to regulate commercial autonomous vehicle operations, adopts substitute