As the 89th Texas Legislature moves into its final weeks, lawmakers from the Dallas-Fort Worth area are pushing forward with several key pieces of legislation. Among the most debated bills are proposals targeting school library oversight, youth social media usage, cybersecurity infrastructure, firefighter health benefits, and regional transportation funding.
The final day of the legislative session is scheduled for June 2.
Lawmakers Debate Redirecting DART Sales Tax Revenue
The House Transportation Committee held a public hearing on April 24 to consider House Bill 3187, filed by Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano. The bill proposes redirecting 25% of sales tax revenue collected by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) back to its member cities for general mobility improvements.
Supporters of the bill—including officials from Plano and Richardson—argue that some cities are contributing significantly more in sales tax revenue than they receive in transit services. Shaheen cited a 2024 study by Ernst and Young Infrastructure Advisors, which found several cities were overpaying relative to the cost of transit service provided.
“Because of DART’s unwillingness to address these overpayments, I have filed HB 3187 that provides a legislative fix to these imbalances DART refuses to fix,” Shaheen said.
Nadine Lee, DART president and CEO, opposed the bill, warning that it could lead to devastating cuts and financial instability for the transit authority. Lee stated that the bill could slash $7 billion in funding over the next two decades and threaten the sustainability of DART’s services.
“That will create a downward spiral until the entire system collapses,” Lee testified.
Frisco Representative Advances Social Media Ban for Minors
House Bill 186, filed by Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, aims to prohibit social media access for individuals under 18. The legislation, which passed committee earlier this month, is scheduled for a second reading in the House on April 29.
Patterson called the proposal “the most important bill” he would present this session.
“After researching and participating in study committees in this body, I firmly believe that social media is the most harmful product that our kids have legal access to in Texas,” Patterson told lawmakers.
If enacted, the bill would require age verification for all users of social media platforms and allow parents to request the deletion of their children’s data. A third reading and record vote would follow the second reading before the bill moves to the Senate.
Cybersecurity Legislation Passes House
The House recently passed House Bill 150, authored by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, which would establish a statewide cybersecurity command center known as the Texas Cyber Command.
Housed at the University of Texas at San Antonio, the proposed command would assume many of the responsibilities currently managed by the Texas Department of Information Resources. Capriglione said the new command would enhance the state’s operational posture with the addition of a threat intelligence center, critical incident response unit, and digital forensic lab.
The bill was engrossed in mid-April and is now under consideration by the Senate.
School Library Oversight Bill Moves to House Committee
Senate Bill 13, co-authored by Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, was referred to the House Public Education Committee after passing the Senate. The bill would require public school districts to establish local library advisory councils composed of community members appointed by the district’s board of trustees.
These councils would meet at least twice a year to recommend changes to school library materials, in accordance with existing state library standards. Instructional materials would remain unaffected under the bill.
The bill has not yet been scheduled for committee discussion.
Firefighter Cancer Screening Bill Stalls
A bill that would mandate free cancer screenings for firefighters has stalled in the House Calendars Committee. House Bill 198, introduced by Rep. Ben Bumgarner, R-Flower Mound, would require local governments to offer occupational cancer screenings to firefighters after five years of service and once every three years thereafter.
The screenings would include tests for colorectal, prostate, lung, and brain cancer. The legislation had passed subcommittee without amendments but was not placed on the full House calendar for debate.
As lawmakers approach the final month of the legislative session, these proposals highlight a growing focus on health, technology, education, and local governance. Texans across the state—particularly in the DFW area—await decisions that could have far-reaching implications.
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