The session opened with the Texas House's election of a new speaker, Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, as review of the hundreds of bills filed in late 2024 and early 2025 has begun. The Austin area’s pool of lawmakers have brought legislation on a variety of topics aimed at local and statewide issues, and will continue to file and review those proposals through March 14.
1. Creation of high-speed rail line floated
Austin-area Democrats Sen. Sarah Eckhardt and Rep. John Bucy submitted legislation last fall—Senate Bill 424 and House Bill 483—in support of a new high-speed rail project that’d link San Antonio, Austin and Dallas along I-35.
They’re calling for Texas to partner with a private entity to build and operate the new rail line capable of running at least 110 mph.
Eckhardt said the new travel option would reduce vehicle accidents and emissions, and the “excise tax” of traffic that’s imposed on lower-income workers today.
“High-speed rail is part of modernizing our economy, and the longer we wait, the more Texans will pay,” she said.
The proposal comes as local officials have worked to secure support for new Central Texas rail.
2. Additional protections proposed for renters
Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, filed bills that would further protect tenants from last-minute rent increases. HB 1185 would require landlords to give written notice of rent increases at least seven days before a tenant is required to provide notice of vacating by the end of their lease term. The notice must also state any improvements the tenant’s property would receive under the rent increase.
Additionally, HB 1184 would bar landlords from leasing a unit to a tenant at a different rate than what was included in the application process.
Landlords who violate either of these polices would be required to pay a $100 penalty to the tenant, plus additional fees.
3. Leaders look to ban local guaranteed income’ programs
Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, and Sens. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston and Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, filed HB 530 and Senate Bills 395 and 743 to ban local governments from offering unconditional cash payments.
In Austin, millions of dollars have been spent over the past few years on income programs.
4. Bill aims to strike state fees for first-year businesses
Under HB 346 from Rep. Caroline Harris Davila, R-Round Rock, new businesses starting up around Texas could be in line for some financial relief.
All licensing and registration fees typically imposed during the first year would be waived.
5. Efforts to increase school funding underway
Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, filed HB 1770 to raise the basic allotment from $6,160 to $7,500 for the 2025-26 school year. The legislation would then adjust the basic allotment for inflation each year.
Goodwin told Community Impact she filed the legislation as Austin-area school districts are facing budget deficits and eliminating programs as well as teaching positions. Efforts to raise the basic allotment failed during the 2023 legislative session as the additional funding was tied to the passage of school vouchers, she said.
