SB 1655
bill changes the cap on TxDOT design-build contracts
Did not pass
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to design build contracts.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Per two-year budget period. The input doesn’t say the new number.
This bill changes the cap on how many design-build contracts the Texas Department of Transportation may sign under one section of the Transportation Code in each two-year state budget period. It affects the department and the contractors who bid on these combined design-and-construction road deals. The filed text reads "two six," with the formatting marks stripped, which most likely means the limit rises from two to six contracts per budget period, starting immediately or on September 1, 2025.
Labels
Labels: QUICK READ: 110 WORDS. The bill as filed runs 110 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Feb 26, 2025. Never referred to a committee.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB1655 · 2025-02-26
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to design build contracts.
WHAT IT DOES
Per two-year budget period. The input doesn’t say the new number.
This bill changes the cap on how many design-build contracts the Texas Department of Transportation may sign under one section of the Transportation Code in each two-year state budget period. It affects the department and the contractors who bid on these combined design-and-construction road deals. The filed text reads "two six," with the formatting marks stripped, which most likely means the limit rises from two to six contracts per budget period, starting immediately or on September 1, 2025.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
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 · Jul 2, 2024 to Mar 25, 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.
Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. PAC$10,000.00
Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. PAC
$10,000.00
- Cash
- $10,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $10,000.00
Also funds 2 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Dec 5, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · on Dec 5, 2024. 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: 100965387.
Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$10,000.00
Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee
$10,000.00
- Cash
- $10,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $10,000.00
Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · on Dec 5, 2024. 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: 100965387.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. PAC
$10,000.00
- Cash
- $10,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $10,000.00
Also funds 2 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Dec 5, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · on Dec 5, 2024. 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: 100965387.
Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee
$10,000.00
- Cash
- $10,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $10,000.00
Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · on Dec 5, 2024. 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: 100965387.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas Senate · Filed Feb 26, 2025
02/26/2025 S Filed
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Companion
HB 5329 by Hunter (identical)
SB 35 by Nichols (duplicate)
Subjects
Highways
COMPETITIVE BIDDING
DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACTS
TRANSPORTATION, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF
Text
The text as introduced · 110 words
By: Nichols S.B. No. 1655 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to design build contracts. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section. 223.242(d-1), Transportation Code is amended to read as follows: (d-1) The department may not enter into more than two six contracts under this section in each state fiscal biennium. 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.