bill lets planners mark up to 10 percent of highways

The text as introduced · 186 words

By: Hinojosa
H.B. No. 5413

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to utilization of certain highways designated by

metropolitan planning organizations.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 472, Transportation Code,

is amended by adding Section 472.0355 to read as follows:

Sec. 472.0355. DESIGNATION OF METROPOLITAN LANE. (a) By a

majority vote of the policy board, a metropolitan planning

organization may designate up to 10 percent of the lane miles of

public highways located within the territorial boundaries of the

organization as metropolitan lanes.

(b) On the designation of a metropolitan lane, a

governmental entity of this state, with the approval of the

governing body having primary jurisdiction over the metropolitan

lane, may implement on the metropolitan lane a project that:

(1) uses transit priority lanes or high occupancy

vehicle lanes or otherwise increases the highway's capacity to

transport people by public transportation, rail, or high-speed

rail; or

(2) optimizes the highway for pedestrians, cyclists,

users of personal mobility devices, or other low-mass, low-speed

road users.

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