House Bill No. 3187 aims to enhance the powers of regional transportation authorities in Texas by introducing a General Mobility Program. This program allows a unit of election within an authority, governed by a subregional board, to enter into an agreement to allocate up to 25 percent of the sales and use tax revenue for various mobility projects, including the construction and maintenance of sidewalks, trails, and roads, as well as traffic control improvements. The bill stipulates that the unit of election must provide an annual list of intended projects and outlines the distribution of funds, with 50 percent available at the start of the fiscal year and the remaining 50 percent on a reimbursement basis. Additionally, any unused funds must be directed towards paying down outstanding debts secured by the sales and use tax.

The bill also amends existing provisions regarding the authority's ability to secure bonds and manage revenue. It specifies that revenue in excess of amounts pledged can be used for operational expenses, funding reserves, and the newly established General Mobility Program. Furthermore, it introduces limitations on the issuance of financial obligations by the authority in response to notices of election, ensuring that financial obligations do not increase during certain periods. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and include various insertions and deletions to existing law to accommodate these new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Transportation Code 452.357, Transportation Code 452.358, Transportation Code 452.401, Transportation Code 452.651, Transportation Code 452.658 (Transportation Code 452)
House Committee Report: Transportation Code 452.357, Transportation Code 452.358, Transportation Code 452.651 (Transportation Code 452)