Bill Addressing Operations, Funding Issues in DART System Set for April 24 Hearing in Texas House

House Bill 3187 by Rep. Matt Shaheen of Plano would allow Irving to recapture up to 25% of the estimated $108 million in sales tax revenue that Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) collects from Irving each year. The legislation allows any city to receive the funding being collected by DART for transportation projects in the city and contains a list of the kinds of projects eligible for the rebate. HB 3187 is set for a hearing in the Texas House Committee on Transportation on Thursday, April 24 at 8 a.m.

As filed, HB 3187 calls for a reduction of 25% to the one-cent sales tax DART collects. A substitute bill is expected to be introduced that continues to send the full one-cent tax revenue to DART, but it would also require the system to rebate up to 25% for eligible projects.

Irving officials have argued that DART service in Irving is under-utilized and that DART is inflexible in making changes that might make the system operate more effectively for Irving residents.

As an example, a company already operating in Arlington and Grand Prairie providing point-to-point transportation services told the City Council's Transportation and Natural Resources Committee recently it could serve the city for $6 million per year. DART has its own rideshare system called GoLink, but it operates only within certain zones and does not cross those zones.

The Irving City Council approved a resolution on July 11, 2024, supporting the 25% funding reduction.

Irving is not the only city in the DART system seeking change. Plano, Carrollton, University Park, Highland Park and Rowlett have also approved similar resolutions.

Another effort addressing DART issues is Senate Bill 2118 by Sen. Tan Parker, which gives each city one vote on the board regardless of size, and allows extra votes for Dallas to recognize its place as the largest city in the system. Currently, members are appointed to represent cities based on population, which gives Dallas seven representatives and a portion of an eighth seat. Irving has one full representative – currently Mayor Rick Stopfer – and shares a representative with Carrollton. SB 2118 has an identical companion in the House, HB 5049 by Rep. Shaheen. Neither of these bills have been set for a hearing.

The Irving City Council approved a resolution at its April 10 meeting supporting SB 2118. Watch the recording here.

To comment on this legislation, contact one of the following members:

Bill Sponsors

HB 3187

Rep. Matt Shaheen (R-District 66)

(512) 463-0594 | matt.shaheen@house.texas.gov

SB 2118

Sen. Tan Parker (R-District 12)

(512) 463-0112 | tan.parker@senate.texas.gov

The Texas House Committee on Transportation

Chair: Rep. Tom Craddick (R-District 82)

(512) 463-0500 | tom.craddick@house.texas.gov

Vice Chair: Rep. Mary Ann Perez (D-District 144)

(512) 463-0460 | maryann.perez@house.texas.gov

Members:

Rep. Terry Canales (D-District 40)

(512) 463-0426 | terry.canales@house.texas.gov

Rep. Pat Curry (R-District 56)

(512) 463-0135 | pat.curry@house.texas.gov

Rep. Erin Elizabeth Gámez (D-District 38)

(512) 463-0606 | erin.gamez@house.texas.gov

Rep. Caroline Harris Davila (R-District 52)

(512) 463-0670 | caroline.harris@house.texas.gov

Rep. Cole Hefner (R-District 5)

(512) 463-0271 | cole.hefner@house.texas.gov

Rep. Marc LaHood (R-District 121)

(512) 463-0686 | marc.lahood@house.texas.gov

Rep. Mitch Little (R-District 65)

(512) 463-0478 | mitch.little@house.texas.gov

Rep. Christina Morales (R-District 145)

(512) 463-0732 | christina.morales@house.texas.gov

Rep. Eddie Morales (D-District 74)

(512) 463-0566 | district74.morales@house.texas.gov

Rep. Jared Patterson (R-District 106)

(512) 463-0694 | jared.patterson@house.texas.gov

Rep. Dennis Paul (R-District 129)

(512) 463-0734 | dennis.paul@house.texas.gov

The Irving Legislative Delegation

Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-District 103)

(512) 463-0746 | rafael.anchia@house.texas.gov

Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez (D-District 115)

(512) 463-0468 | staff contact: fawaz.anwar@house.texas.gov

Rep. Terry Meza (D-District 105)

(512) 463-0641 | terry.meza@house.texas.gov

Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-District 16)

(512) 463-0116 | nathan.johnson@senate.texas.gov

Sen. Tan Parker (R-District 12)

(512) 463-0112 | tan.parker@senate.texas.gov