Relating to the awarding of contracts by the Texas Department of Transportation for certain materials used in road construction projects.

SB 2953 prohibits the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) from favoring bids for road construction materials based on environmental, social, or governance criteria (including carbon emissions) if those materials are less cost-effective or durable than alternatives. The bill directly affects TxDOT's contracting decisions for road projects by requiring them to prioritize cost and durability over ESG factors when comparing bids. It adds a new provision to the Transportation Code stating TxDOT may not give preference to such bids, ensuring material selection is based on practical project needs. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.