Monitoring the Session

HB 2876

Gerdes Bill Extends A Private Toll Deal Up To 20 Years

Did not pass

Verdict: Smells

SmellsReviewed
Rep. Stan GerdesRHouse 17
Why it's charged
Carve-out

THE TEXT

…“the department shall amend a comprehensive development agreement entered into on or before March 22, 2007, for State Highway 130 from U.S. Highway 183 to Interstate Highway 10 (Segments 5 and 6) to extend the term of the agreement for up to 20 additional years”…

Bill text, House committee report version (H)

The bill requires the state to extend one uniquely described private toll contract by up to 20 years, and it overrides the general rule with "Notwithstanding Subsection (h)." The caption does name this one contract, but the payment owed in return has no floor and is left to whatever the department and the operator agree on.

Carve-out

Reviewed · Nov 1, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the amendment of an existing comprehensive development agreement for a portion of State Highway 130 to facilitate nontolled transportation projects.

Caption from analyzed text · version H.

Summary

The State Highway 130 operator pays whatever it and the department agree on. No floor!

The bill orders the Texas Department of Transportation to rewrite one existing private toll-road contract, for State Highway 130 Segments 5 and 6, so the private operator's deal can run up to 20 more years. In exchange, the private operator must pay the state in a manner or amount the department and the operator agree on, and that money must go to non-toll road projects between I-35 and SH 130 in the same county, each approved by that county. The department must report to the legislature on the deal by December 1, 2026, and the bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 1 Republican, 1 Democrat. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.GOT HALFWAY. Passed the House on May 10, 2025. Died in the Senate: received, never referred to a committee.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB2876 · 2025-02-14

SOLD BY

Rep. Stan GerdesRHouse 17 Rep. Terry CanalesDHouse 40

+ 3 coauthors

ITEM

relating to the amendment of an existing comprehensive development agreement for a portion of State Highway 130 to facilitate nontolled transportation projects.

WHAT IT DOES

The State Highway 130 operator pays whatever it and the department agree on. No floor!

The bill orders the Texas Department of Transportation to rewrite one existing private toll-road contract, for State Highway 130 Segments 5 and 6, so the private operator's deal can run up to 20 more years. In exchange, the private operator must pay the state in a manner or amount the department and the operator agree on, and that money must go to non-toll road projects between I-35 and SH 130 in the same county, each approved by that county. The department must report to the legislature on the deal by December 1, 2026, and the bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[x] CARVE-OUTanalysis confidence 60%

THE TEXT

…“the department shall amend a comprehensive development agreement entered into on or before March 22, 2007, for State Highway 130 from U.S. Highway 183 to Interstate Highway 10 (Segments 5 and 6) to extend the term of the agreement for up to 20 additional years”…

Bill text, House committee report version (H)

The bill requires the state to extend one uniquely described private toll contract by up to 20 years, and it overrides the general rule with "Notwithstanding Subsection (h)." The caption does name this one contract, but the payment owed in return has no floor and is left to whatever the department and the operator agree on.

TOTAL

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version I · March 30, 2025

The fiscal implications to the State cannot be determined because the amount of funds that would be provided to the Department of Transportation by the private participant under the agreement required by the bill is unknown.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to s/c on Transportation Funding by Speaker
  4. Scheduled for public hearing in s/c on . . .
  5. Considered by s/c in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
  7. Left pending in subcommittee
  8. Recalled from subcommittee
  9. Considered in public hearing
  10. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  11. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  12. Committee report distributed
  13. Committee report sent to Calendars
  14. Considered in Calendars
  15. Placed on General State Calendar
  16. Read 2nd time
  17. Passed to engrossment
  18. Record vote RV#1981
  19. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  20. Read 3rd time
  21. Passed
  22. Record vote RV#2058
  23. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  24. Reported engrossed
  25. Received from the House
FILED UNDER

CORPORATE WELFARE

THE TEXT

“to extend the term of the agreement for up to 20 additional years”…

Bill text, House committee report version (H)

The bill mandates up to 20 more years of a private toll concession for one operator, with the operator's payment set only by negotiation.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 76 yea · 45 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 10, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Stan Gerdes

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$316KDustin Burrows Campaign$89KTexas Conservative Majority PAC$68K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 30, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$316,248.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$316,248.00

Cash
$220,000.00
Paid by others
$96,248.00
Total
$316,248.00
advertising $74,698.00polling $21,550.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Sep 29, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010282, 101029052, 101035831, 101036569, 101070133.

Dustin Burrows Campaign$88,800.00

Dustin Burrows Campaign

$88,800.00

Cash
$75,000.00
Paid by others
$13,800.00
Total
$88,800.00
polling $13,800.00

Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 29, 2025 to Jan 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101029052, 101035831, 101036569.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$67,750.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$67,750.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$42,750.00
Total
$67,750.00
canvassing $35,000.00polling $7,750.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 13, 2026 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101036569.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$316,248.00

Cash
$220,000.00
Paid by others
$96,248.00
Total
$316,248.00
advertising $74,698.00polling $21,550.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Sep 29, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010282, 101029052, 101035831, 101036569, 101070133.

×

Dustin Burrows Campaign

$88,800.00

Cash
$75,000.00
Paid by others
$13,800.00
Total
$88,800.00
polling $13,800.00

Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 29, 2025 to Jan 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101029052, 101035831, 101036569.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$67,750.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$42,750.00
Total
$67,750.00
canvassing $35,000.00polling $7,750.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 13, 2026 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101036569.

Votes2

House May 10, 2025

Yea
76
Nay
45
Present, not voting
2
Absent
10
Excused
17
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2058

HB 2876 was passed by (Record 2058): 76 Yeas, 45 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 76 (published)
  • Nay: 45 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 10 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 17 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 10, 2025

Yea
88
Nay
42
Present, not voting
2
Absent
12
Excused
6
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 1981

HB 2876 was passed to engrossment by (Record 1981): 88 Yeas, 42 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 88 (published)
  • Nay: 42 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 12 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses24
For
18
Against
3
On
3
Names

For

  • Caldwell County1 registration
  • Greater Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council1 registration
  • Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce1 registration
  • Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce1 registration
  • HNTB1 registration
  • Lockhart EDC1 registration
  • Metro San Antonio Chamber1 registration
  • Opportunity Austin1 registration
  • San Antonio Mobility Coalition, Inc. (SAMCo)1 registration
  • Seguin Economic Development Corporatiom1 registration
  • Self; City of New Braunfels1 registration
  • Self; Hays caldwell economic development partnership1 registration
  • Self; NASCO1 registration
  • Self; Opportunity austin1 registration
  • Self; Texas Trucking Association1 registration
  • SH 130 Concession Company2 registrations
  • The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce1 registration

Against

  • AGC of Texas1 registration
  • Hunter Industries, Ltd.1 registration
  • Self; TURF, Texans for Tollfree Highways1 registration

On

  • Self1 registration
  • TxDOT2 registrations
Sources

24 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version I · March 30, 2025

The fiscal implications to the State cannot be determined because the amount of funds that would be provided to the Department of Transportation by the private participant under the agreement required by the bill is unknown.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version H by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Feb 14, 2025

05/12/2025 S Received from the House

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 1:45 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
John H. Bucy IIIDHouse 136 Ryan GuillenRHouse 31 John LujanRHouse 118

House committee · Transportation · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay, 4 absent · Out of committee

Companion

SB 1074 by Zaffirini (identical)

Subjects

Highways

State Finances--Management & Control

TRANSPORTATION, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF

Text

The text as introduced · 323 words

89R9815 CXP-D

By: Gerdes
H.B. No. 2876

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the amendment of an existing comprehensive development

agreement for a portion of State Highway 130 to facilitate

nontolled transportation projects.

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

SECTION 1. Section 223.208, Transportation Code, is amended

by adding Subsections (i), (j), and (k) to read as follows:

(i) Notwithstanding Subsection (h), the department shall

amend a comprehensive development agreement entered into on or

before March 22, 2007, for State Highway 130 from U.S. Highway 183

to Interstate Highway 10 (Segments 5 and 6) to extend the term of

the agreement for up to 20 additional years if the amendment:

(1) outlines the public benefit to be derived from

extending the term; and

(2) requires the private participant to provide

consideration in the manner or amount agreed to by the department

and the private participant in accordance with the requirements of

the amendment.

(j) Any funds received under Subsection (i)(2) must be used

by the department, or on behalf of the department using the

department's procurement process, for the design, financing,

construction, maintenance, and operation of nontolled

transportation projects between Interstate Highway 35 and State

Highway 130 to be located wholly or partly in a county in which the

project that is the subject of the comprehensive development

agreement described by Subsection (i) is located. Each nontolled

transportation project under this subsection must be approved by

the county in which the project is located before the expenditure of

funds by the department or on the department's behalf.

(k) Not later than December 1, 2026, the department shall

report on the implementation of the amendment to the comprehensive

development agreement described by Subsection (i) to the presiding

officer of each standing committee of the legislature with primary

jurisdiction over the department. This subsection expires

September 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.