[{"_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",6058287,"mediaKeyId","3297543-5b5bf0288c4749b9762cd1e14344632a","parentId",3297543,"title","Senate committee reports bill requiring annual disclosures from private high‑speed rail proposers","audioSeconds",256,"startMs",337000,"endMs",593000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3297543-5b5bf0288c4749b9762cd1e14344632a&start=337&end=593","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3297543-5b5bf0288c4749b9762cd1e14344632a/thumbnail_337000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6058287/Texas/Senate-committee-reports-bill-requiring-annual-disclosures-from-private-highspeed-rail-proposers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6058287-6222d5a26fd7272cfe5e5b4e773a6931/orig.mp4?Expires=1770666894&Signature=LYAYLUSNG3Nvl~sTMKnVQkpjOnuty7iWpbAfJkdxCl4HnOzANyy1O-c1Sd3ZF7Uw0Mf0Be1rDLQK~~o6l24l~koOjPS7G6hqFzHx3zU9LUmMnYIm4ejVRKbuMgpZr8nifzWWM3BXoA46dht10XwvRa-pd1FF-QprFY3EQEyy0rE-AXO2wwgfCdkTMr-C-S2Z8HI6FKY3FkuctfMOl6aIzndZuYQwk3Utf-9Yw3mLF6dHgpXOVwjWyt7WC0hT5S1ouMLn1Z4zhUZ~r~OsygdIVkcEJcgvI0OIcPqPfPl-FMetqyRHss9qYf~39vt0JfRzmi9cRMqO~lCyX2Ry5ZStDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Legislature","date","2025-05-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Committee on Transportation voted to report House Bill 2003, which would require the responsible party for any project included in the Texas Rail Plan to submit an annual package of information to the Texas Department of Transportation explaining financial status, financing methods, full project cost, timelines for permitting/funding/land acquisition, the proposed route and ridership projections.

Supporters said the requirement is intended to give landowners and public officials basic, up‑to‑date information about projects that can affect private property and local planning. “An annual update to TxDOT with basic information is not too much to ask of a private HSR company that has the power of the state to take our private property,” Desi Burns Porter, executive director of Texans Against HSR, told the committee during public testimony.

Opponents raised privacy and competitive concerns, saying small or proprietary negotiations could be harmed if detailed financial documents are posted publicly. “This information from a private company with no ties to state funding would then be published on the TxDOT website for everybody to see,” Peter Lacotte, president of Texas Rail Advocates, said in opposition, adding that forcing disclosure could set a precedent for other private projects.

Committee discussion also addressed the distinct legal posture of private high‑speed rail proponents who have, in some instances, obtained eminent domain authority through litigation or permitting. Witnesses and senators noted prior Texas Supreme Court rulings and an old statute referenced during the hearing that factors into when a private rail company may exercise eminent domain. Committee members also debated whether the presence of eminent domain authority justified the requested disclosures.

The bill text, as presented, would require TxDOT to post the submitted items on its website and would include an organizational disclosure requirement for proposed management and any planned foreign investment. Proponents said the change responds to years of inconsistent communications from developers and to landowners who said they were left with uncertainty about whether and when projects would proceed.

After public testimony and committee discussion, the committee reported the bill favorably to the full Senate. The clerk recorded a committee tally of 5 ayes and 3 nays; the bill was reported with the recommendation that it be passed and printed.

The measure will go next to the Senate calendar for possible floor action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on Transportation May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Committee on Transportation voted to report House Bill 2003, which would require the responsible party for projects listed in the Texas Rail Plan to submit annual disclosures to TxDOT on financing, schedule, route, ridership and organizational information.","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},6058269,"Committee clears bill that clarifies travel‑trailer inspection language; bill does not reinstate inspections",2953,145000,3098000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3297543-5b5bf0288c4749b9762cd1e14344632a&start=145&end=3098","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3297543-5b5bf0288c4749b9762cd1e14344632a/thumbnail_145000.jpg","/articles/6058269/Texas/Committee-clears-bill-that-clarifies-traveltrailer-inspection-language-bill-does-not-reinstate-inspections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6058269-9b20fd3a42f12e7de407f67097c90388/orig.mp4?Expires=1770666894&Signature=hJC3pE94SXxp89pjX8VrBAj2jLnoi~qKX8XRd2OjVlAP4EoUez6a4q9bMzLZyYU~DTEB0EPcXSiA1tlsrLCo6ViqmHW68uln5qkMHC~H3u5tfSJ0t9AbJ~4yU8bWTnVBn7wfJ0RTooiy741VewlTNCOxpE9ZKWw6vQHhQSu~-J184Trwvvh1785PoP~7u-mIabI~t6C1dq1GtYjEeqyn0KFY0sxlvoAvW62yx~ez6gL8sOglCgw9w3YyZS0BqEcKz92HkCYLppG1LUe1MowP9mze7QDuRkNpMrT0KG0JP3FKFbYyJ1nBxooSkNxeNJ9FVWHbb1uphZ9xmOM~tF4uMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Transportation reported House Bill 2029, a cleanup bill intended to resolve conflicting statutory language about safety inspections for travel trailers and other vehicles.

Sponsor testimony explained that the Legislature previously passed two bills: one that eliminated safety inspections for travel trailers and another that limited safety inspections for all vehicles. The bills’ language created conflicts and redundancy in the Transportation Code, the sponsor said, and HB 2029 removes the outdated or conflicting language so the law is consistent. The sponsor emphasized that the bill does not reinstate inspections or impose new requirements.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about fee collections and the statutory dedication of certain vehicle fees; a staff explanation in the hearing noted that some fees remain constitutionally dedicated to funds such as the Texas Mobility Fund and air quality programs, which is why fees may still be charged in some contexts even where local inspection is not required.

Following discussion, the committee reported the bill favorably with a recorded tally of 8 ayes and no nays and recommended it be passed and printed. One senator lodged an objection to placing the bill on the local uncontested calendar, so the bill will proceed through normal Senate scheduling procedures.","House Bill 2029 is a cleanup measure intended to resolve overlapping statutes after prior sessions eliminated safety inspections for travel trailers and limited inspections for all vehicles. Committee sponsors said the bill simply removes conflicting language and does not create new inspection requirements; the committee reported it favorably.",{"_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},6058272,"Committee advances bill allowing updated driver licenses after corrective eye surgery without in‑person visit",69,27000,96000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3297543-5b5bf0288c4749b9762cd1e14344632a&start=27&end=96","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3297543-5b5bf0288c4749b9762cd1e14344632a/thumbnail_27000.jpg","/articles/6058272/Texas/Committee-advances-bill-allowing-updated-driver-licenses-after-corrective-eye-surgery-without-inperson-visit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6058272-bd5a39a2f2b6bccccaecfd44ba7fdf8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770666894&Signature=MvffjE2leRc6aFNGQtcMZyJd7xu-gxnWN4N7pznmkgrfyOkP2h4ayFN3XIj3HmMrXm5P9PVJ32ea0GcQ1m5frTvRc8BePwykYvPu24CGaXaiZH9RG3T7P2pvSgIT4mO~0sELokk6W1xOWH35-UbhXmD4aYbav7lmzQDroAwQ2qMUruBBBPtrzWWCa7R295feRll~Q-S8VnR4rRBGD5iaEQU-ODmal6dWMvdWsMHb3Fip93Z9tu-9aVAWn4~Zi5uqxDqPkxGPyhNUsynLLlLeGKHo~Cb3d6f-Cjm~TKIHp9kwN90QSsL6dIy-7EIEipFb~W9wLkP1q4eRhDorxEPXBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Transportation reported House Bill 647, which would allow persons who have undergone corrective eye surgery and no longer require corrective lenses to obtain an updated driver license without an in‑person visit.

Under the bill as explained to the committee, a licensed physician would send verification to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) by mail or email that the driver no longer requires corrective lenses; DPS would then supply the driver a replacement license that removes the corrective‑lens restriction. The driver would still be required to provide the physician letter and pay the appropriate license fee.

Committee members noted a fiscal note attached to the bill, describing programming and system costs estimated at roughly $3.1 million to establish the electronic intake and issuance system. Senator Hagenboo and committee staff discussed an agency estimate that the change could reduce in‑person visits to DPS: using a national estimate of LASIK surgeries and the state’s population share, proponents suggested the rule change could eliminate tens of thousands of in‑person visits, though the committee record showed the fiscal note remained as stated.

No public testimony in opposition was recorded. The committee reported the bill favorably to the full Senate by a recorded committee vote of 7‑0 (clerk recorded 7 ayes, no nays during the vote sequence) and recommended it be passed and printed.

The measure would change DPS procedures for license updates following corrective eye surgery and requires DPS to establish a system to receive physician notifications if the bill becomes law.","House Bill 647 would permit drivers who obtain corrective eye surgery to submit physician verification to the Department of Public Safety by mail or email and receive a replacement license removing the corrective‑lens restriction without an in‑person visit. The committee reported the bill after brief discussion about implementation costs.",{"_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},6058277,"Committee advances bill to remove certain CDL administrative hearings to meet federal standards",116,210000,326000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3297543-5b5bf0288c4749b9762cd1e14344632a&start=210&end=326","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3297543-5b5bf0288c4749b9762cd1e14344632a/thumbnail_210000.jpg","/articles/6058277/Texas/Committee-advances-bill-to-remove-certain-CDL-administrative-hearings-to-meet-federal-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6058277-9189dad2aa5dae71b542fb4a54a1a2be/orig.mp4?Expires=1770666894&Signature=aiRUzfDwUVTwn2E3wKlq5ahCWPPiRgZeqN4vPBBhNpSFRf2ra2WjZ-TbdLPl-9tZ7Kk4XLXQ9rKGKG1YGTne1aFi0KipIJEDe7DuCgKk1X0LO1NmvNwH4-O267pcR2tFmTk0zvC9WC3I-pQl7GCdOdQTAL4b~f1oiHPmUT1Q1hAef8AmosF~n8SCNxDF4DVMtxbLqOZVe1MWuNI90ONiCEDzFP~onep~29pxoLZtw2nZNyyh1tatVoxAQoWB45Yyakbm3p4K6AstFGWvyICyMyiPKit11O7fpAGl7Po9VM~Nb50GFAh1W-VHQIUW3eA65jE6AXGJKFgHy2dbgb0RnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Transportation reported House Bill 4804, which would modify Texas administrative procedures for the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program to align with federal rules enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Sponsor testimony explained that Texas currently permits an appeals‑style hearing process for CDL holders who face disqualification for a range of serious offenses; the FMCSA determined in 2022 that the state’s hearing process conflicts with federal law. The committee heard that continued nonalignment risks decertification of the state CDL program and potential loss of federal highway funds.

House Bill 4804, as presented, has two main components: removing the state hearing process for administrative enforcement actions against CDL holders in order to comply with FMCSA regulations; and authorizing the Texas Department of Public Safety to revoke commercial driving authority consistent with the offender‑registry revocation authorities created by the Legislature last session.

The sponsor said the change is intended to preserve federal funding and keep Texas’s CDL program certified by federal authorities. Resource witnesses registered for the record; no public opposition testimony was recorded at the hearing. The committee voted to report the bill favorably to the full Senate; the clerk recorded an 8‑0 tally in favor and the bill was recommended to be passed and printed.

If enacted, HB 4804 would alter the administrative review process for certain CDL enforcement actions and add statutory authority for revocations tied to the state's offender registry provisions.","House Bill 4804 would remove a state administrative hearing process for commercial driver license (CDL) holders facing certain disqualifications to conform with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requirements, and would authorize new revocation authorities linked to last session's offender registry changes.",{"_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},6058282,"Committee advances bill stepping up penalties for repeat commercial 'bandit' signs",254,2248000,2502000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3297543-5b5bf0288c4749b9762cd1e14344632a&start=2248&end=2502","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3297543-5b5bf0288c4749b9762cd1e14344632a/thumbnail_2248000.jpg","/articles/6058282/Texas/Committee-advances-bill-stepping-up-penalties-for-repeat-commercial-bandit-signs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6058282-b6e4861a22c4037183c94ca09e2afa84/orig.mp4?Expires=1770666894&Signature=T~tN9hDjUogvB2GpsbzqecrMaogQnCWgwYzO3fxOk~qHu-c36~f8WlOpcM7u2fo9R6vkePRBhx8EC6TiyTqiDw~hNNErpWy2qD22pMSesvgf2ldEVIPygxeJQFM1uCuQC5WhOS6lnq6xxjhKDt5XoA~ZdmtL~ppyuQp~Ne~7A6mSqpClhCFJ2RUj2SXdpggLTFQjP2p9WYKkpu12MJSKFszcTTGI51RNmCt5W~3Vucex9di9rGImWyUkFcnsvGbhenqHWIH9Eprh~t5ad7PTBHTGH8SI-7Hm7IlgTQICbHrOsIB79izRJXQ8RvCr4ziYJvK2sjocQi95jc5OPcO5pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Transportation reported House Bill 3611, which targets repeated commercial signs — commonly called “bandit signs” — placed in medians, on utility poles and in other public rights‑of‑way. The bill, as presented, narrows its scope to commercial signs and adds a written‑notice requirement before a first fine may be imposed.

Sponsor testimony said the measure is aimed at large, repeat offenders who create visual blight, traffic hazards or fraud; municipalities have reported spending taxpayer funds to remove thousands of illegal signs each year. “This is a reasonable fix for all these problems and cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin need to do something about this blight problem,” Senator Miles told the committee.

Key provisions described in the hearing include a written notice requirement that gives a person an opportunity to remove posted commercial signage before a first fine is assessed, and an escalating fine structure: up to $1,000 for a first violation after written notice, $2,500 for a second violation and $5,000 for a third or subsequent violation. The bill explicitly excludes political signs, which remain protected under the election code, and committee language was tightened to target large‑scale repeat offenders rather than small businesses or candidates.

Public testimony was submitted by representatives of multiple cities and local governments (registers for the record), and no members of the public spoke in opposition at the hearing. After discussion, the committee voted to report the bill favorably; the clerk recorded an 8‑0 tally in favor and the measure was recommended to be passed and printed.

If enacted, the bill would give local governments stronger tools to remove commercial signs that repeatedly appear in rights‑of‑way and would place procedural limits (written notice) on first‑time enforcement.","House Bill 3611 would expand enforcement and fines targeting repeat commercial signs placed in public rights‑of‑way; the committee reported the bill with changes intended to protect political signs and to require written notice before fining a first‑time offender.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee reports bill requiring annual disclosures from private high‑speed rail proposers

Committee clears bill that clarifies travel‑trailer inspection language; bill does not reinstate inspections

Committee advances bill allowing updated driver licenses after corrective eye surgery without in‑person visit

Committee advances bill to remove certain CDL administrative hearings to meet federal standards

Committee advances bill stepping up penalties for repeat commercial 'bandit' signs