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HJR 144

Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the creation of a regional mobility authority by local law.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Eddie Morales

Constitutional amendment lets local governments create regional mobility authorities by local law, expanding local control over regional transport projects and funding.

Received from the House
#legislature(i0520) #resolutions--constitutionalamendments(i0661) #specialdistricts&authorities--miscellaneous(i0770) #transportation--miscellaneous(i0824)
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Bill Summary · HJR 144

Summary — HJR 144 (2025)

Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the creation of a regional mobility authority by local law

Purpose

HJR 144 is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to allow the creation of a regional mobility authority (RMA) by local law. The stated intent is to authorize local governments to form RMAs without requiring a special or statewide statutory mechanism beyond what local legislation provides.

What the bill would do (key points)

  • Amend the state constitution to permit the creation of a regional mobility authority through local law.
  • Shift authorization for RMAs from whatever current constitutional or statutory constraints exist to a framework that can be established locally (exact legal mechanics and limits would be defined in the amendment’s text).
  • Enable local governments or combinations of local governments to use local legislative action to create an RMA.

Note: The bill text itself was not included; this summary is based on the title and procedural filing. The amendment’s precise language — including any limitations, required approvals, governance rules, financing powers, or oversight provisions — would determine the detailed scope of authority for RMAs.

Who would be affected

  • Local governments (counties, cities, and possibly regional coalitions) that may choose to establish RMAs.
  • Regional planning organizations, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and the state department of transportation insofar as coordination will be required.
  • Residents, commuters, and businesses in regions that form RMAs, particularly if RMAs pursue projects involving tolling, bond financing, public-private partnerships, or new service operations.
  • State oversight and budgetary actors to the extent RMAs impact financing or intergovernmental arrangements.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Increased local control and flexibility for regional transportation planning and project delivery.
  • Potential to accelerate local project financing and construction through RMAs’ typical tools (e.g., revenue bonds, tolling), depending on the amendment’s language.
  • Possible concerns about fragmentation, duplicate authorities, accountability, transparency, and uniformity of rules across regions.
  • Legal and fiscal effects will depend heavily on the amendment’s final text and implementing local laws.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Filed: February 19, 2025
  • Referred to Transportation Committee: March 19, 2025
  • Committee public hearing: April 22, 2025; reported favorably April 25, 2025
  • Placed on Constitutional Amendments Calendar and read 2nd time: May 10, 2025
  • Adopted by the chamber that considered it: May 12, 2025; reported engrossed and received from the House the same day
  • Next step: As a proposed constitutional amendment, if the Legislature completes and approves the amendment in both chambers, it must be submitted to the voters for ratification according to the state’s constitutional amendment process (voter approval required).

Recommendation

To assess specific authorities and limits that this amendment would create (for example, powers to toll, issue bonds, or enter contracts), review the joint resolution’s full text and any implementing local-law templates that may accompany it.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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