Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
13 bills that modify the Transportation Code
A Blog about 88th Legislature Laws
A Bit of Background
The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 88th Legislature Laws as it relates to that topic.
Brief Summary of Texas
Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.
Summary of 88th Legislature Laws
The blogs here will discuss the laws passed by Congress and signed into law, as well as those, passed by Congress and approved by the voters to become law. There are a multitude of laws and each time I post blogs I will notate here the current effective date if it is different from prior blogs. I have worked my way through to the Transportation Code. The Utilities and Water Code will follow.
Blog Summary
HB 3132 - optional hard of hearing notice on driver's license
HB 3224
HB 3288
HB 3313
HB 3444 - districts larger than 1 million must be metropolitan designated
HB 3558
3643
3645
3646
3647
3672 - designated portion of a highway to ...
3798
3860
13 bills that modify the Transportation Code
Published: 2026-05-28
Multiple short modifications
HB 3132 - 4 pages
The department now provides an optional method of designating that the card holder is deaf or hard of hearing. This can be done on their driver's license or personal id card. An individual must provide written statement from a physician to do so.
This is sort of a nice feature so that if someone is stopped, and they provide their id, then the police can be informed of their inability to hear. Because I know people with hearing aids that still have a great deal of difficulty hearing in so many situations.
HB 3224 - 4 pages
If someone's driver's license is suspended for failure to maintain evidence of financial responsibility (for most this is auto insurance), then vehicle registration is no longer suspended at that time. This is good because someone else in their household may wish to get auto insurance and continue driving the vehicle.
HB 3288 - 3 pages
A motor vehicle transfer notice now includes a place to denote the seller's telephone number and the purchaser's telephone number.
HB 3313 - 2 pages
Motorcycles may be equipped with LED ground lighting only if it is non-flashing and in amber or white light.
HB 3444 - 2 pages
The commission sets rules for designating district to be metropolitan, urban or rural. A district with a population greater than 1 million must be metropolitan.
HB 3558 - 2 pages
A motor vehicle must stop at a stop line for a required stop. If there is not stop line, then before entering the crosswalk nearest the intersection. If neither of those is present, then nearest the intersection that allows a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.
This was mostly changes to working in that a stop line is now listed before the crosswalk rather than after.
HB 3643 - 2 pages
Issuance of temporary license under Transportation Code Section 521.124 is now repealed.
HB 3645 - 3 pages
If you are under the age of 25 and do not hold a valid license from another state, then you must provide proof of completing and passing a driver education and traffic safety course approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or, if over 18, than proof of an education course approved by the Texas Department of Education. Guess I'm glad that I got my license in another state all those years ago. This adds, at a minimum, $35 to $80 to the cost of getting a license. Where I lived this was not required, and I did not take it. Instead my parent's taught me to drive and ensured I was aware of the rules of the road before I was allowed to apply for a license. I understand wanting the roads to be safe, but this burdens people with additional fees that probably make little difference. I've personally thought that so many would benefit from merely a classroom discussion with a professional driver regarding safe maneuvering. It should assist people with knowing when to properly brake for curves, at the very least. However, while I think it would be helpful I don't think it should be required. (Honestly I've seen and heard of more vehicles loosing control on curves due to improper braking, so if nothing else, it would help prevent those accidents.)
HB 3646 - 4 pages
Meaning of commercial motor vehicle is not moved to 49 CFR Section 383.5 rather than being delineated here in the code. This just helps prevent having to change both to update meanings.
There is an alternative visual standards for intrastate drivers that do not meet visual acuity standards.
HB 3647 - 3 pages
If a conviction is received 1 year after the entry, then the department may not consider it when deciding to suspend, revoke or deny renewal. It may be considered for enforcement actions if the license holder holds a commercial license, was operating a commercial vehicle at the time of the offense, or was transporting hazardous materials; or if the offense was for intoxication and alcohol related offenses.
HB 3672 - 6 pages
A portion of Business US Highway 281-S in the limits of Premont is designated Lt . General Marc Cisneros Highway.
A portion of US Highway 290 in Waller County between Waller-Harris county line and State Highway 6 is designated Trooper Russell Lynn Boyd Memorial Highway.
A portion of US Highway 87 in Brady is designated Ranger Stanley K. Guffey Memorial Highway.
A portion of Interstate Highway 35 in Hillsboro is designated Trooper Milton Alexander Memorial Highway.
A portion of Interstate Highway 2 in McAllen is designated Trooper Ernesto Alanis Memorial Highway.
A portion of US Highway 377 in Denton is designated Trooper Hollis S. Lacy Memorial Highway.
A portion of US Highway 67 in Texarkana is designated Trooper Howard Jordan Memorial Highway.
A portion of Interstate Highway 10 in Austin County between Austin-Waller county line and State Highway 36 is designated Trooper Mark Frederick Memorial Highway.
A portion of Interstate Highway 10 in Austin County between State Highway 36 and Austin-Colorado county line is designated Trooper William Kohlleppell III Memorial Highway.
A portion of Interstate Highway 35 in Williamson County between mile marker 268 and mile marker 272 is designated Trooper Billy D. Howry Memorial Highway.
HB 3798 - 8 pages
The following are items that those applying for or renewing a driver's license or personal id may donate $1 to:
- Glenda Dawson Donate Life-Texas Registry fund;
- fund for veterans' assistance;
- evidence testing account for evidence testing grant programs;
- Blindness Education, Screening, and Treatment program;
- identification fee exemption account
HB 3860 - 3 pages
A county tax assessor-collector is not liable for damages arising from misuse of license plates or other fraudulent activity related to motor vehicle registration or titling.
Webpage created by and for J.B. Williams, J.D. - all rights reserved