By: Geren, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Schwertner) H.B. No. 146

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 14, 2025; May 14, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Business & Commerce; May 22, 2025, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 4; May 22, 2025, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the required approval by the State Preservation Board of certain traffic changes near the State Capitol.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 443, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 443.0073 to read as follows:

Sec. 443.0073. APPROVAL OF CERTAIN CAPITOL-AREA TRAFFIC CHANGES. (a) In this section:

(1) "Covered segment" means the portion of Congress Avenue in Travis County between its intersection with the Congress Avenue Bridge and its intersection with 11th Street.

(2) "Special event" means an event that has 50 or more attendees at any time and for which a municipality authorizes the temporary closure of:

(A) a covered segment; or

(B) a public highway, street, or alley adjacent to a covered segment.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, a municipality may not, unless authorized by an affirmative vote of four board members, take any action, directly or indirectly, that, for a covered segment:

(1) reduces the number of lanes of traffic permanently; or

(2) closes any lane of traffic for more than 14 consecutive days other than for:

(A) a special event;

(B) a construction project occurring on or adjacent to a covered segment; or

(C) a traffic control plan or pedestrian safety plan in connection with construction under Paragraph (B).

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

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