BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

C.S.H.B. 2731

89R33379 GP-D

By: Mu�oz (Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy")

 

Local Government

 

5/26/2025

 

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

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.

 

(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

 

C.S.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(b) and (c), Transportation Code, as follows:

 

(b) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 200,000 that borders the United Mexican States by order to regulate certain activities in the unincorporated areas of the county, provided that the activities occur in a parking lot or on or in the right-of-way of a public highway or road, including the sale of items and the erection, maintenance, or placement of a structure by a vendor of live animals and the solicitation of money.

 

Deletes existing text authorizing the commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 870,000 that borders the United Mexican States by order to regulate the activities described by Subsection (a) (relating to authorizing the commissioners court of a certain county to regulate certain activities) in the manner described that subsection, except 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 and the county is prohibited from prohibiting the sale of livestock.

 

(c) Provides that a county regulating vendors under Subsection (b) is prohibited from adopting an order under Subsection (b) prohibiting the sale of livestock.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.