H.B. No. 3019 amends Chapter 451 of the Transportation Code by adding Section 451.069, which establishes new regulations for certain metropolitan rapid transit authorities and related entities regarding their ability to request and receive federal funds. This section specifically applies to authorities confirmed before July 1, 1985, in municipalities with populations under 850,000 at the time of the authority's creation, as well as local government corporations appointed by these authorities. Under the new provisions, these entities are prohibited from applying for or receiving federal funds for light rail transit systems without the governor's approval.

The bill outlines criteria that the governor must consider when granting approval for federal funding requests. These criteria include whether the municipality has adequately addressed public health and safety issues related to homelessness, enforced voter-approved restrictions against camping in public spaces, and the potential competitive impact of the funding request on other entities in Texas. Additionally, the governor may seek an opinion from the attorney general regarding the enforcement of these restrictions. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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