H.B. No. 5391 amends Section 201.615 of the Transportation Code to enhance the design considerations for transportation projects undertaken by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The bill specifies that TxDOT must consider various factors when developing projects, including safety, durability, maintenance economy, environmental impact, and community access. Notably, it introduces new requirements for considering alternative designs that have been approved by local governing bodies, as well as the negative impacts of previous transportation projects on affected communities.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the commission must adopt rules to implement these considerations, ensuring that alternative designs are reviewed similarly to projects under the National Environmental Policy Act. However, it also includes provisions that exempt certain projects from these requirements if the alternative designs are deemed frivolous or unreasonable. The changes are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Transportation Code 201.615 (Transportation Code 201)