HB 3643
AN ACT relating to the withdrawal of a unit of election from certain
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Modifies rules for withdrawing from metropolitan rapid transit authorities in Texas. It changes the waiting period between withdrawal elections from five years to two years and introduces a new calculation method for financial obligations, particularly for smaller units with two percent or less of the authority's total inhabitants. The bill requires annual good faith estimates of net financial obligations to be reported to election units by July 1, potentially making it easier and more transparent for communities to consider leaving a transit authority.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the withdrawal of a unit of election from certain metropolitan rapid transit authorities and the net financial BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 451.603(c), Transportation Code, is (c) An election to withdraw may not be held [ordered, and a petition for an election to withdraw may not be accepted for filing, on or] before the second [fifth] anniversary of the first day of the calendar month in which a [after the date of a] previous election to withdraw [in] the unit of election [to withdraw] from the authority SECTION 2. Section 451.611, Transportation Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (c-1) and (e) to (a) Except as provided by Subsection (c-1), the [The] net financial obligation of a withdrawn unit of election to the authority is an amount equal to: (1) the gross financial obligations of the unit, which (A) the unit's apportioned share of the authority's outstanding obligations; and (B) the amount, not computed in Subdivision (1)(A), that is necessary and appropriate to allocate to the unit because of financial obligations of the authority that specifically (2) the unit's apportioned share of the unencumbered assets of the authority that consist of cash, cash deposits, certificates of deposit, and bonds, stocks, and other negotiable (c-1) This subsection applies only to a withdrawn unit of election that has a total number of inhabitants equal to two percent or less of the total number of inhabitants of the authority, including the number of inhabitants of the unit. The net financial obligation of a withdrawn unit of election to which this subsection applies is the fair market value of the authority's property that will remain in the unit after the unit's withdrawal. (e) An authority shall annually make a good faith estimate of each unit of election's net financial obligation and shall report that estimate to the unit of election not later than July 1 SECTION 3. 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.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the withdrawal of a unit of election from certain
Related Guides
Learn more about tracking Texas legislation and working with lobbyists.
How to Read & Track Texas Bills
Master bill numbering, understand legislative language, and learn effective tracking strategies.
Understanding Texas Legislative Deadlines
Navigate the 140-day session with critical calendar dates and filing deadlines.
How Laws Get Made in Texas
Follow a bill's journey from filing to the governor's desk through committees and floor votes.
When Should Your Business Hire a Lobbyist?
Discover the signs that your business needs professional advocacy at the Texas Capitol.