House Bill No. 4576 aims to amend various provisions related to the operation of metropolitan transit authorities in Texas, particularly those in municipalities with populations under 320,000. The bill modifies the Tax Code to clarify that certain exemptions for compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas do not apply to fuel supplied to specific motor vehicles, including those exempt from tax under other provisions. Additionally, it updates the Transportation Code to streamline the process for establishing or changing fares, allowing such changes to take effect immediately upon board approval, with a specific exception for single-ride base fares.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new regulations regarding the selection and retention of insurance brokers for these authorities, ensuring that brokers are compensated solely by the authority and must disclose any business relationships with insurance carriers. It also specifies exclusions for determining the length of service for board members in smaller municipalities, particularly regarding appointments to fill unexpired terms. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Tax Code 162.356, Transportation Code 451.506 (Transportation Code 451, Tax Code 162)