Bill Text: TX SB977 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Relating to the use of state money for high-speed rail operated by a private entity.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 5-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-05-29 - Effective on 9/1/17 [SB977 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-SB977-Enrolled.html
S.B. No. 977 |
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relating to the use of state money for high-speed rail operated by a | ||
private entity. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Chapter 199, Transportation Code, is amended by | ||
adding Section 199.003 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 199.003. USE OF STATE MONEY FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL. | ||
(a) For the purposes of this section, "high-speed rail" means | ||
intercity passenger rail service that is reasonably expected to | ||
reach speeds of at least 110 miles per hour. | ||
(b) Except as required by federal law or other state law, | ||
including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. | ||
Section 4321 et seq.): | ||
(1) the legislature may not appropriate money to pay | ||
for a cost of planning, facility construction or maintenance, or | ||
security for, promotion of, or operation of, high-speed rail | ||
operated by a private entity; and | ||
(2) a state agency may not accept or use state money to | ||
pay for a cost described by Subdivision (1). | ||
(c) A state agency shall prepare a semiannual report of each | ||
expense described by this section and submit a copy of each report | ||
to: | ||
(1) the commission; | ||
(2) the comptroller; | ||
(3) the committee in each house of the legislature | ||
with primary jurisdiction over transportation; | ||
(4) the speaker of the house of representatives; | ||
(5) the lieutenant governor; and | ||
(6) the governor. | ||
(d) This section is not intended to preclude or limit the | ||
execution of the department's responsibilities under federal law or | ||
other state law, including: | ||
(1) regulatory responsibilities; | ||
(2) oversight of transportation projects; | ||
(3) environmental review; | ||
(4) policy development; | ||
(5) communication with public officials; or | ||
(6) coordinating with a private entity that operates | ||
or proposes to operate high-speed rail in the same manner that the | ||
department coordinates with other entities that operate | ||
transportation projects. | ||
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. | ||
______________________________ | ______________________________ | |
President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | |
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 977 passed the Senate on | ||
April 18, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Secretary of the Senate | ||
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 977 passed the House on | ||
May 21, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 130, Nays 11, one | ||
present not voting. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||
Approved: | ||
______________________________ | ||
Date | ||
______________________________ | ||
Governor |