81R11013 JTS-D
By: Carona S.B. No. 1570
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the facilitation, analysis, and implementation of
high-speed passenger rail in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 5, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Chapter 92 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 92. HIGH-SPEED RAIL
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 92.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "High-speed rail" means passenger rail service
capable of operating at speeds greater than 200 miles per hour.
(2) "High-speed rail corporation" means the nonprofit
corporation with which the institute contracts under Section
92.051.
(3) "Institute" means the Texas Transportation
Institute.
[Sections 92.002-92.050 reserved for expansion]
SUBCHAPTER B. HIGH-SPEED RAIL FACILITATION, ANALYSIS, AND
IMPLEMENTATION
Sec. 92.051. CONTRACT FOR FACILITATION, ANALYSIS, AND
IMPLEMENTATION. (a) The institute shall contract with a nonprofit
corporation consisting of local transportation and elected
officials organized to implement high-speed rail in this state, to
negotiate on behalf of this state, and to facilitate, analyze, and
implement the development of high-speed rail.
(b) The high-speed rail corporation may:
(1) solicit federal and state funding to be allocated
to the institute for the purposes of this subchapter;
(2) coordinate with federal planners and
representatives from adjacent states for the interconnectivity of
high-speed rail systems in this state with systems developed in
federally designated high-speed rail corridors in other states;
(3) represent and negotiate on behalf of this state
for the interconnectivity of high-speed rail with existing and
planned transportation systems, including airports, seaports,
transit systems, commuter rail systems, and highways; and
(4) coordinate with federal transportation planners
and officials at the United States Department of Defense or its
successor agency regarding issues related to the provision of
connectivity to military installations in this state.
Sec. 92.052. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. The high-speed rail
system developed under this subchapter must:
(1) provide high-speed rail connectivity to this
state's four largest airports;
(2) enhance connectivity for and ease of passenger
transport from military installations located in this state; and
(3) be developed in collaboration with high-speed rail
projects in other areas of the United States to ensure
interconnectivity with other federally designated high-speed rail
corridors.
Sec. 92.053. REPORTS. The high-speed rail corporation shall
annually submit a report regarding its activities under this
subchapter to:
(1) the governor;
(2) the lieutenant governor;
(3) the speaker of the house of representatives; and
(4) the standing committee in the senate and the house
of representatives that has primary jurisdiction over rail
transportation 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, 2009.