Consider action to support Legislation Reforming the Governance Structure of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Consider action to adopt a resolution Supporting Legislation Reforming the Governance Structure of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) (Amendments to Chapter 452, Texas Transportation Code).
Executive Summary & Impact
On March 17, 2026, the Rowlett City Council authorized an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) to participate in the General Mobility Program (GMP), securing approximately $4.68 million in local transit funding allocations over a six-year period. A fundamental prerequisite and foundational element of that negotiated agreement was a structural revision to DART's regional governance model to ensure fair, proportional, and dedicated representation for all member cities. To operationalize and codify this agreed-upon governance realignment, amendments to state statutory law are required. Through intensive regional facilitation led by the North Texas Commission (NTC) and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), DART and all 13 Service Area Cities have reached a historic consensus on a unified legislative request for the upcoming 89th Texas Legislative Session. The proposed bill amends Chapter 452 of the Texas Transportation Code to establish a 21-member Board of Directors, guarantee every member city a dedicated voting seat, eliminate forced shared board members, cap maximum municipal voting power at 50%, and assign population-bracketed voting shares. Staff recommends formal Council authorization to sign support letters and engage in joint advocacy to advance this statutory change.
Legislative Enactment & Roll-Call History
Official Legal Text & Codified Sections
OFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE DOCKET RECORD — CITY OF ROWLETT Instrument / Docket Number: Ord. 2026-09-29-4C (Agenda Item 4C) Meeting: City Council Special Meeting Date Enacted: 2026-09-29 Roll-Call Outcome: PASSED (7 YES - 0 NO) Category: General Regulation Source Document: https://civicclerk.blob.core.windows.net/stream/ROWLETTTX/b55fd91d-ac28-4cbd-8f0d-854e7371a78f.pdf VERBATIM DOCKET TEXT & SUMMARY: On March 17, 2026, the Rowlett City Council authorized an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) to participate in the General Mobility Program (GMP), securing approximately $4.68 million in local transit funding allocations over a six-year period. A fundamental prerequisite and foundational element of that negotiated agreement was a structural revision to DART's regional governance model to ensure fair, proportional, and dedicated representation for all member cities. To operationalize and codify this agreed-upon governance realignment, amendments to state statutory law are required. Through intensive regional facilitation led by the North Texas Commission (NTC) and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), DART and all 13 Service Area Cities have reached a historic consensus on a unified legislative request for the upcoming 89th Texas Legislative Session. The proposed bill amends Chapter 452 of the Texas Transportation Code to establish a 21-member Board of Directors, guarantee every member city a dedicated voting seat, eliminate forced shared board members, cap maximum municipal voting power at 50%, and assign population-bracketed voting shares. Staff recommends formal Council authorization to sign support letters and engage in joint advocacy to advance this statutory change.