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Legislative affairs report: session outcomes, city priorities and DART service cuts public hearing set for June 26
Summary
Legislative affairs staff briefed council on session outcomes they tracked, local advocacy work and a DART public hearing scheduled for June 26 where proposed service cuts and a General Mobility Program will be discussed.
Legislative affairs staff reported to Garland City Council on June 16, 2025 about the 2025 Texas legislative session outcomes, city advocacy efforts and fallout on regional transit (DART). The briefing recapped major bills the city tracked, summarized advocacy work and described an upcoming DART community hearing on proposed service reductions and a General Mobility Program (GMP).
Session highlights reported by staff included local positions and final dispositions on priority bills: for example, staff said SB412/HB267 (removing an affirmative defense for library employees and youth program staff) was enacted; large electric bills (including SB6 and other measures) were followed closely and some were sent to the governor; some preemption bills and municipal finance restrictions (including a proposed restriction on COs/anticipation notes) died; HB24 (zoning changes) and other land‑use bills advanced to the governor; efforts on alcoholic‑beverage zoning and a qualified hotel project proposal advanced in committee but did not reach final multi‑chamber compromise.
DART and regional mobility: staff described multiple DART‑related bills filed; many failed to pass, but DART and member cities negotiated a General Mobility Program on the agency side that would redistribute 5% of the agency’s annual sales tax revenue among seven eligible member cities for a two‑year pilot. Staff said DART released a statement that it will propose historic service cuts and fare changes, and that a public community hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 26 from 6:30–7:30 p.m.; staff said one of the routes at risk is the Lake Ray Hubbard Express.
Why it matters: the legislative session changed the statewide policy environment for utilities, zoning, municipal finance and other topics that affect Garland’s operations and finances. DART’s potential reductions in service and funding mechanisms could affect Garland residents who rely on regional transit, and the staff highlighted the need for community engagement at DART’s hearing.
What comes next: legislative staff said they will continue to monitor outcomes, support council priorities, coordinate with regional partners and attend the DART public hearing scheduled for June 26.
