BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2731
89R8597 GP-D	By: Mu�oz (Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy")
	Local Government
	5/25/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The bill author has informed the committee of concerns raised by constituents about the public safety hazards posed by roadside vending and solicitation, particularly near high-traffic areas, and further informed the committee that roadside sales or solicitation create dangerous conditions for both vendors and drivers. H.B. 2731 seeks to enhance public safety by adjusting the population thresholds for counties authorized to regulate roadside vending and solicitation. The bill specifically lowers the population threshold of counties bordering Mexico from populations greater than 870,000 to 200,000 and removes restrictions based on road speed limits.

H.B. 2731 amends current law relating to the regulation of roadside vendors and solicitors in certain counties.

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 Sections 285.001(a) and (b), Transportation Code, as follows:

(a) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 500,000, rather than more than 1.3 million, to promote the public safety, by order to regulate certain activities in the unincorporated area of the county if they occur on a public highway or road, in the right-of-way of a public highway or road, or in a parking lot.

(b) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 200,000, rather than more than 870,000, that borders the United Mexican States by order to regulate the activities described by Subsection (a) in the manner described by that subsection, except that the county is prohibited from prohibiting the sale of livestock.

Deletes existing text providing that the regulation of activities on or in the right-of-way of a public highway or road is limited to public highways and roads with a speed limit of 40 miles per hour or faster. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.