MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Transportation was held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

MEMBERS PRESENT: — — — — MEMBERS ABSENT: — — Senator Tan Parker, — Chair — — — — Senator Phil King — — Senator Royce West, — Vice Chair — — — — Senator Borris Miles — — Senator Paul — Bettencourt — — — — — — Senator Brent Hagenbuch — — — — — — Senator Juan Hinojosa — — — — — — Senator Nathan Johnson — — — — — — Senator Charles Perry

MEMBERS PRESENT:

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Tan Parker, Chair

Senator Phil King

Senator Royce West, Vice Chair

Senator Borris Miles

Senator Paul Bettencourt

Senator Brent Hagenbuch

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator Nathan Johnson

Senator Charles Perry

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:10 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Chair laid out the following interim charges:

- Prioritizing Public Safety at Rail-Grade Crossings: Examine the Texas Department of Transportation’s implementation of increased funding for rail-grade separation projects. Examine how the agency is using these new resources to prioritize projects for mobility and safety concerns. Make recommendations to ensure that expanded state investments deliver measurable improvements in freight movement and community safety.

- Studying the Deployment of Autonomous Vehicle Technology: Study the deployment of autonomous vehicle technology as authorized by SB 2807, (89th Session), including rule-making adopted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Quantify the impact on traffic related collisions. Make recommendations to ensure that the continued deployment of autonomous vehicles prioritizes public safety and aligns with the evolving technological landscape on Texas roads.

- Strengthening Commercial Driver License Standards and Oversight: Examine the issuance of Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL) in Texas. Identify opportunities to strengthen safety standards of third-party CDL training schools and testing facilities, such as unannounced or undercover audits. Review program standards of English-proficiency throughout the CDL program for all commercial drivers in Texas, regardless of destination. Examine law enforcement policies relating to roadside inspections, including how an officer verifies the validity of a CDL and associated documents. Make recommendations to bolster the integrity of third party providers, to ensure English-proficiency among Texas CDL holders, and to support public safety through enforcement.

The following individuals provided invited and public testimony (see attached witness list).

At 1:52 PM Senator Parker moved that the Committee stand recessed.

At 2:27 PM Senator Parker reconvened the meeting.

Invited and public testimony resumed.

There being no further business, at 4:43 PM Senator Parker moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Tan Parker, Chair

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AnnaKate Gibson, Clerk