MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Transportation was held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Nichols, Chair Senator Royce West, Vice Chair	Senator Carol Alvarado Senator Borris Miles
Senator Sarah Eckhardt
Senator Kelly Hancock Senator Phil King Senator Tan Parker
Senator Charles Perry

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. The following business was transacted:

The Committee heard invited testimony on the following Interim Charges:

• Reviewing Historic Accomplishments in Transportation: Review the implementations and outcomes of key transportation funding and policy initiatives since the 84th Legislature. Report on trends or patterns to guide future planning and governance.

The roll was called, and a quorum was established.

Testimony continued.

• Transportation Funding: Assess the implementation of funding appropriated by the 88th Legislature for aviation, maritime ports, international points of entry, existing rail line operations, and public transportation from non-dedicated state funds and federal funds and make recommendations to ensure these sectors meet current demands and are prepared for future growth.

Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

Testimony continued. 

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

Testimony continued.

• Autonomous Vehicle Safety: Evaluate autonomous vehicle operations, implementation, incident reporting, and accountability to law enforcement. Make recommendations to ensure public safety and transparency.
• The Future of Our Economy: Evaluate President Biden’s plan to transition to all-electric vehicles, and the impact on Texans and the state economy. Assess and report on the viability of the charging infrastructure, including the need for more charging stations and upgrades to the power grid, loss of gas tax revenue for transportation and public education, barriers to widespread adoption such as consumer costs for purchasing new vehicles and installing residential charging infrastructure, and the impacts to the oil and gas economy in Texas.

All witnesses are shown on the attached list.

There being no further business, at 12:53 PM Senator Nichols moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Robert Nichols, Chair

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Amy Jeter, Clerk