[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6552446,"mediaKeyId","5118018-8ebe929498f4bc0fbcbb99675c85b5c1","parentId",5118018,"title","Austin official outlines 2025 Texas legislative changes affecting city transportation programs","audioSeconds",1178,"startMs",480000,"endMs",1658000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5118018-8ebe929498f4bc0fbcbb99675c85b5c1&start=480&end=1658","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5118018-8ebe929498f4bc0fbcbb99675c85b5c1/thumbnail_480000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6552446/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-official-outlines-2025-Texas-legislative-changes-affecting-city-transportation-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552446-bd32a002cb065f056d6aa75f2ec4af00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145739&Signature=Rm~ci8~eRYfyfy4SRrpybh-E7IBcYkb-6uDf6PD6DOYmxYaZokABLUCCiITBjE5d9hFRI-mZ3PhfLL59VJA5nbC4w50zaKC68Qj6zgDdX7wiIIqaWgCjehb6hRFmMtOyT9wM~ryxKyCH1e7A16sMwLI6NVJD~jfjULDcX~rNN4aa3u0x9XGcbcGpRr4doTZ6IFFUKvXVQIluEbJ2juzyTsQjiKDiSpmXfRdRElCXCU95OXjPJto5AsW5LT70nBomvS5D70mWAtKLDQ9BZceuSv-eEJZBUmU6RSIyiZUzPIYjuUkqxnylmeRraVM9H5QYqAvoV~wJVKlh--fWgafHBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-07-01T00:00:00Z","article","Carrie Rogers, the City of Austin legislative director, briefed the Urban Transportation Commission on July 1 on outcomes from the 2025 Texas legislative session that staff expect will affect Austin transportation and mobility programs.

Rogers told commissioners the city is reviewing roughly 330 bills that passed and that departments and the law department are assessing what internal policies, ordinances or Council actions will be required to implement new state law. \"We are going to be presenting to the mayor and city council on July 22 similar to what you're hearing today,\" Rogers said.

Why it matters: several bills create new grant programs or regulatory duties for state agencies that can affect local project funding and design. Rogers highlighted budget allocations, rail safety grants, autonomous vehicle (AV) guardrails and land‑use bills as having particular implications for Austin.

Key points from the presentation

- State budget: Rogers said the state appropriations bill (Senate Bill 1) maintains statewide transportation funding programs and continues pathways for some local grants, including rail safety improvements. She said Austin receives substantial pass‑through funding from the state for projects such as FEMA emergency work.

- Rail safety grants: Rogers identified Senate Bill 1555 and Senate Bill 2129 as establishing a TxDOT grant program for railroad grade separations and increasing penalties for ignoring railroad crossing signals; the city will work with transportation and public works to pursue eligible funds.

- Autonomous vehicles: Rogers described recent bills amending earlier AV law and said the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will publish draft rulemaking after a board meeting expected July 10. \"The AV rules are expected to be adopted by December 1,\" she said; Rogers added local and state rulemaking timelines mean draft rules will be posted for public comment before final adoption and an expected effective date about 90 days after adoption.

- State AI governance and other tech rules: Rogers referenced Senate Bill 1964 (state AI governance framework) and said Austin participated in interim working groups and will be operationalizing the new requirements.

- Land use and housing: Rogers summarized a number of bills that would change permitting, conversions of commercial properties to residential by right, and related density rules. She cited Senate Bill 840 (Sen. Hughes) as an author proposal to allow some commercial‑to‑residential conversions and said the city negotiated language to preserve local density bonus programs and to avoid a broad fee waiver that was removed during negotiation. Rogers warned there are remaining drafting ambiguities that staff will pursue as cleanup legislation or through administrative implementation.

What the city will do next

Rogers said departments and the law department are cataloguing which practices or ordinances must change to comply with state law; items requiring Council action will be flagged in staff memos. She encouraged boards and commissions to raise any bills they identify so staff can review them.

Commissioners asked about timelines for AV public comments (Rogers said comments would be due during the DMV posting window, typically 30–90 days after July 10) and how statewide transportation plans (STIP/TIP/STEP) and TxDOT discretionary categories work for funding allocations.

Rogers closed by thanking the commission and inviting follow‑up questions after staff completes department reviews.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Urban Transportation - Jul 01, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Carrie Rogers, the City of Austin legislative director, briefed the Urban Transportation Commission on July 1 on 2025 Texas legislative outcomes that staff say will affect local transportation funding, autonomous vehicle rules, rail safety grants and land‑use authorities.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552437,"UTC recommends narrower lane widths, urges city to align TCM with NACTO guidance",1194,3535000,4729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5118018-8ebe929498f4bc0fbcbb99675c85b5c1&start=3535&end=4729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5118018-8ebe929498f4bc0fbcbb99675c85b5c1/thumbnail_3535000.jpg","/articles/6552437/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/UTC-recommends-narrower-lane-widths-urges-city-to-align-TCM-with-NACTO-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552437-fe95f87571e105dbec2807fc678e3f50/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145739&Signature=mw-aCCzCxFE7ND9R5yZ8IBMemfZ86-9Z36obRlNsNU1YlTlxi9advibAvbjb31n7erJbwIem8fkPkHMHCIZi7n4eTNUoY65UpuzcNd0keg2Co29Ns81LpF0yVDMwTX--kW9LkRicv4q0Qvp72eYfI0YKgYrrahX7MDK-YaLwNjPCZVy020e4E0l40~zSUhdmqVbAh03lE3kRZpXXnhBk3~fsyKGqYhLAhp4qgD6d5-88rw7lwHi9WTa~s5b~oUNyK0hDY0xKxW-oXp4nME~hLE~qVca9EY7ZnqquEsfmIwnw3vxhtmvPiC6pRQocjyFBlVsUls4i7dhKTYYvgxI7Cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Austin Urban Transportation Commission voted unanimously on July 1 to recommend that city transportation policy align more closely with guidance from the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) by adopting narrower baseline lane widths on arterials and multi‑lane streets.

Vice Chair Schumacher, who moved the recommendation, framed it as a safety and multimodal space issue. \"For each additional foot of lane width, the estimated speed on each road goes up 2.9 miles per hour,\" he told commissioners, citing research discussed in the recommendation.

What the recommendation proposes

- Adopt a recommended general travel lane width of 10 feet with a constrained width of 9 feet for lanes not designated for frequent freight or transit usage.

- For general travel lanes where freight/delivery traffic is expected to be approximately 10% of total traffic or where the lane will carry transit service, adopt a recommended width of 11 feet with a constrained width of 10 feet (outer lanes in multi‑lane corridors).

- Allow traffic engineers to exceed recommended widths where contextual factors warrant (heavy truck volumes, fire/emergency vehicle requirements, or other engineering justifications).

- As resources allow, Transportation & Public Works (TPW) should perform a lane width audit on Level 3 and Level 4 streets to identify corridors with excessive lane widths and prioritize restriping, resurfacing or other improvements.

- Recommend City Council amend the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) to include target indicators for lane‑width reduction under chapter 1, \"Designing for Safety.\"

Rationale and supporting evidence

Proponents cited NACTO research and a comprehensive literature review (speaker referenced work from Johns Hopkins University research teams) indicating narrower lanes are associated with lower operating speeds and that 12‑foot lanes can correlate with higher non‑intersection crash rates in the 30–35 mph range. Commissioners argued narrower lanes free roadway width for separated bike lanes, trees, and pedestrian space without reducing necessary capacity where context requires wider lanes.

Discussion and next steps

Commissioners debated whether the narrower width should be the default or whether the constrained dimension should be the default; supporters recommended using 10 ft as the recommended width with 9 ft as the constrained minimum based on both engineering interviews and local fire/emergency service considerations. Several commissioners and staff noted the recommendation is focused on Level 3 and Level 4 streets (multi‑lane arterials) and that emergency services have been engaged in prior TCM discussions. TPW staff present said they would review the recommendation and look for implementable elements even before a Council directive.

The commission voted to circulate the recommendation to City Council and staff; the motion passed unanimously.","The Urban Transportation Commission voted unanimously to ask City of Austin staff and Council to adopt narrower lane widths on multi‑lane arterials, aligning guidance with NACTO standards to improve safety and make room for multimodal infrastructure.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552442,"Austin Urban Transportation Commission adopts 2024–25 annual report, adds CapMetro and Vision Zero goals",818,2793000,3611000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5118018-8ebe929498f4bc0fbcbb99675c85b5c1&start=2793&end=3611","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5118018-8ebe929498f4bc0fbcbb99675c85b5c1/thumbnail_2793000.jpg","/articles/6552442/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-Urban-Transportation-Commission-adopts-202425-annual-report-adds-CapMetro-and-Vision-Zero-goals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552442-3a54616867cd90e6c8b147a0b64b2c90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145739&Signature=i-xBg25ofz85RtkU9wlgrMjaK84zwiS41fP6mOh~EPNOQmmzVrqoDE~sLhGKSaSRpd8zv3KvO3nJRTh~xS6wcG8IbDdnj0X5u6zug0cUNMX6H~ryduLUO41J697IWq7neDV~ex8iY1MEe3hu7lGWJfIcfPiSZpRtCwsgJiRPMoF-5muVXJzEqY9q6sfi6A-wvM45oFcnHiHomkRFR1QmvqWYom9CEFbnNSgbQ8rbStUh-CGFw2bh8D1u61Jlzuk--uzD2olk1P6GKDM5FggNlcKSRfBK721sBWrXS1ZTkFwSBON64niL7GQMracIhcxOSSZf1pyiMn1jiHQNVQGWVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Austin Urban Transportation Commission on July 1 approved its 2024–25 annual report, a document required by city statute that summarizes the commission's work and sets priorities for the coming year.

The report covers the period July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, and lists the commission's mission, presentations received and formal recommendations. Chair Summers read the portion of the draft report that lists proposed goals and described the commission's conclusion that \"we did comply with our mission statement.\" The commission adopted the report after two amendments and final text changes.

Amendments and votes

- The commission unanimously approved an amendment from Commissioner Kavalman to add a goal to \"stay up to date and reviewing infrastructure and service changes by the Capital Metro Transit Authority.\" Chair Summers seconded that amendment; the amendment passed by unanimous vote of those present.

- Vice Chair Schumacher moved, and Commissioner Buffo seconded, an amendment adding a bullet explicitly referencing Vision Zero and reducing traffic fatalities; the amendment passed unanimously.

- Chair Summers made a minor text correction to wording about the Transportation Criteria Manual that commissioners agreed to without objection.

Why it matters

The annual report is the commission's primary, statutory vehicle to document its recommendations and priorities; additions to the goals list (CapMetro monitoring and Vision Zero) signal topics the commission will emphasize in its upcoming agenda and when advising staff and Council.

Next steps

Commissioners discussed tracking which recommendations are forwarded to Council and what actions Council takes in response. Staff said items that require Council action as a result of new state law will be flagged in staff memos. The commission approved the amended annual report unanimously.","The Urban Transportation Commission approved its statutory annual report covering July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025, and amended the goals to add monitoring Capital Metro service changes and an explicit Vision Zero/traffic‑fatality reduction objective; the vote was unanimous.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552432,"Community Advancement Network representative briefs UTC on mental‑health resources and data dashboard",176,166000,342000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5118018-8ebe929498f4bc0fbcbb99675c85b5c1&start=166&end=342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5118018-8ebe929498f4bc0fbcbb99675c85b5c1/thumbnail_166000.jpg","/articles/6552432/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Community-Advancement-Network-representative-briefs-UTC-on-mentalhealth-resources-and-data-dashboard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552432-831612cde8570faaa180f5f70442c997/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145739&Signature=QZzB5TGDMeakMm5tafvYwHW86m6W~n4SLhw9sTq6EotIjejhE~iSc-aVUVwQ94HOBj~NJfoe6f1J89A3Tqog0XXAqGtR2Oj8FLvy4RF9XG9dto2vEOVqhHroxKnyg7~fF-yqTOY7Nc0scJcCY3uAZQIN4Cdb9JNejEkcmxJqModLQtJldHzsgZy7LqmzVB81mv-xa7IuKTw~vjelUzOd9r7Mb8gO~aaPlDjzfZNT5ORWP3DsZXt0urKf-hYj1mamFheFn49cZ-2P~rXqB25J7R454vx3FUzlCO7aVl4CPPVQyk9k4gM~0aTMEJh5qNVkmQxOt6HvJ0vXC-dvk~Xeng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the meeting's general public communication period, Carlos Soto, research planning and evaluation coordinator for the Community Advancement Network (CAN), spoke about CAN's partnership work and tools for community organizations.

Soto described CAN as a partnership that brings together government agencies, nonprofits and faith‑based organizations to coordinate resources addressing social, educational and economic needs. He told commissioners CAN maintains an ATX website listing mental‑health resources and a flyer “Pathways to Mental Healing” with resources for families and community members.

Soto also described the CAN community dashboard, which tracks indicators across four issue areas, including basic needs and transportation. He said the transportation indicator was changed from vehicle miles traveled to the percentage of people who drive alone to work to better align with local goals to reduce solo driving.

Soto left contact cards and invited commissioners to request a fuller briefing at a future meeting.","Carlos Soto of the Community Advancement Network told the Urban Transportation Commission about CAN's partnership model, mental‑health resource guides and a community dashboard that includes a transportation indicator changed from vehicle miles traveled to percent who drive alone to work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Austin official outlines 2025 Texas legislative changes affecting city transportation programs

UTC recommends narrower lane widths, urges city to align TCM with NACTO guidance

Austin Urban Transportation Commission adopts 2024–25 annual report, adds CapMetro and Vision Zero goals

Community Advancement Network representative briefs UTC on mental‑health resources and data dashboard