BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 146
	By: Geren; Troxclair (Schwertner)
	Business & Commerce
	5/16/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Changes in traffic configurations made by local governments to public roads near the Capitol pose challenges to the Department of Public Safety's ability to respond effectively to incidents within the Capitol Complex.

To ensure appropriate coordination of road closures, H.B. 146 would require four members of the State Preservation Board to authorize municipal action that, for the portion of Congress Avenue between its intersection with the Congress Avenue Bridge and its intersection with 11th Street ("covered segment"), directly or indirectly reduces permanently the number of lanes of traffic or closed any lane of traffic for more than 14 consecutive days. This would not apply to closures for a special event with 50 attendees or more for which a municipality orders temporary closure of a covered segment or an adjacent area; a construction project on or adjacent to a covered segment; or a traffic control plan or pedestrian safety plan related to a construction project on or adjacent to a covered segment.

H.B. 146 amends current law relating to the required approval by the State Preservation Board of certain traffic changes near the State Capitol.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 443, Government Code, by adding Section 443.0073, as follows:

Sec. 443.0073.� APPROVAL OF CERTAIN CAPITOL-AREA TRAFFIC CHANGES.� (a) Defines "covered segment" and "special event."

(b) Prohibits a municipality, notwithstanding any other law, unless authorized by an affirmative vote of four State Preservation Board members, from taking any action, directly or indirectly, that, for a covered segment, reduces the number of lanes of traffic permanently or closes any lane of traffic for more than 14 consecutive days other than for certain exceptions.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.