BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3966

By: Morales, Christina

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee of unsafe conditions at some sites at which commercial passenger bus companies provide services and that there are concerns that these sites are in neighborhoods where schools are located. The bill author has also informed the committee that such a company should demonstrate transparency with the local community and engage with community members who live near such locations before operations at these sites begin. H.B. 3966 seeks to address this issue by requiring the owner or operator of a commercial passenger bus service to provide prior written notice to residents who live within two miles of a new bus stop, terminal, or other installation located in Texas that is operated by the company.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3966 amends the Business & Commerce Code to require the owner or operator of a commercial passenger bus service, at least 90 calendar days before the date the service begins operating a new bus stop, terminal, or other installation located in Texas, to provide written notice of the stop, terminal, or installation to residents who live within two miles of the stop, terminal, or installation. The bill requires the notice to be delivered by mail and include the address or a description of the location of the new bus stop, terminal, or other installation.

H.B. 3966 defines "commercial passenger bus service" as a business that operates a passenger bus service that provides regularly scheduled intercity bus transportation to passengers in exchange for compensation.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.