Bill Text: TX SB975 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Comm Sub

Texas Senate Bill 975 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Relating to the security of high-speed rail operated by a private entity.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 10-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-06-15 - Effective on 9/1/17 [SB975 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-SB975-Comm_Sub.html



	By: Birdwell, et al.	S.B. No. 975

	(Schubert)


	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the security of high-speed rail operated by a private
	entity.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Chapter 112, Transportation Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER E. SECURITY FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL OPERATED BY PRIVATE
	ENTITY
	Sec. 112.201. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "high-speed
	rail" means passenger rail service that is reasonably expected to
	reach speeds of at least 110 miles per hour.
	Sec. 112.202. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies only
	to high-speed rail operated by a private entity.
	Sec. 112.203. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY POWERS AND
	DUTIES. (a) To the extent not preempted by federal law, the
	Department of Public Safety:
	(1) shall administer and enforce the provisions of
	this subchapter; and
	(2) may adopt rules as necessary to administer this
	subchapter.
	(b) In carrying out the powers and duties under this
	subchapter, the Department of Public Safety:
	(1) has the same authority granted to the Texas
	Department of Transportation under Subchapter B, Chapter 111; and
	(2) shall ensure that rules and standards adopted
	under this subchapter are consistent with applicable federal rules,
	regulations, and standards.
	(c) The Department of Public Safety shall provide the
	emergency management training course described by Section 418.005,
	Government Code, to employees of a high-speed rail operator
	designated under Section 112.204(c).
	Sec. 112.204. SECURITY. (a) A high-speed rail operator
	shall:
	(1) in the manner required by law for intercity
	passenger railroads, implement all security requirements of the
	Transportation Security Administration or its successor agency;
	(2) conduct periodic risk-based threat and
	vulnerability assessments; and
	(3) in consultation with the Transportation Security
	Administration, implement appropriate security measures in
	response to results of the assessments, which may include:
	(A) establishing effective intrusion protection
	and access controls for railroad-owned facilities and the rail
	corridor;
	(B) instituting active or passive passenger
	screening protocols; and
	(C) providing appropriate levels of onboard
	security for all revenue service trains.
	(b) A high-speed rail operator shall collect and
	investigate security threat reports submitted by members of the
	public.
	(c) A high-speed rail operator shall:
	(1) designate employees who are managers or
	supervisors and whose position description, job duties, or
	assignment includes emergency management responsibilities; and
	(2) require those employees to complete the emergency
	management training described by Section 418.005, Government Code.
	(d) A high-speed rail operator may not use the services of a
	peace officer employed by this state or a political subdivision of
	this state unless the operator compensates the state or political
	subdivision, as applicable, for the officer's time.
	Sec. 112.205. COORDINATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES. (a) A
	high-speed rail operator shall coordinate security activities and
	investigations with federal, state, and local law enforcement
	agencies, including by communicating about credible threats, major
	events, and vulnerable places along the rail line or on a train.
	(b) A high-speed rail operator shall communicate as
	appropriate with the state Emergency Management Council and the
	Texas Division of Emergency Management about safety and security
	issues.
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2017.