HB 4313 offered by Representative Cecil Bell (R-Magnolia) would deny any city, county, metropolitan or regional transit authority, regional council of governments (this would include our North Central Texas Council of Governments), or public school district from using public funds “to plan, create, or operate an environmental project” to “reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the amount of pollutants reaching the environment, or create public awareness of those or related issues.”

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The bill covers public money “obtained from any source, including from a tax, fee, grant, or donation.

This bill was heard in Intergovernmental Affairs on April 8 and could be voted out any day by this committee. This bill could deny the public funding or use of grants for:

• Climate plan initiatives or regional initiatives including NCTCOG's Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) to reduce pollution and lower greenhouse gases. It would affect any initiatives requiring funding to help get the region out of nonattainment of air quality standards.

• Installing air monitors by cities or counties via EPA grants or other sources

• Community solar projects (outside of rooftop solar) funded with public money if tied to a grant or donation related to air quality

• Fleet purchases of EV's or lower emitting vehicles through the Texas Emission Reduction Plans for cities and counties

• Public facing EV charging infrastructure with public funding from related emission lowering grants

• Local school districts applying to the Clean Bus program

• Public transit or high speed rail if tied to air emission funding

• And more....