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. Section 91.001, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subdivision (3-a) to read as follows:
(3-a) "High-speed rail" means passenger rail service
capable of operating at speeds of more than 200 miles per hour.
SECTION 2. Chapter 91, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter G to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER G. HIGH-SPEED RAIL FACILITATION AND ANALYSIS
Sec. 91.121. TEXAS HIGH-SPEED RAIL CORPORATION. (a) The
commission shall create a corporation under Subchapter B, Chapter
431, for purposes of this subchapter.
(b) The corporation is not subject to the limitation
provided by Section 431.072.
(c) The corporation must have a board of seven members, of
whom:
(1) three are appointed by the commission; and
(2) four are appointed by the commission from a list of
candidates submitted by the South Central High Speed Rail and
Transportation Authority, Incorporated, a local government
corporation organized under Subchapter D, Chapter 431.
Sec. 91.122. DEVELOPMENT OF SYSTEM. Subject to the
commission's oversight and control under Chapter 431, the
commission may direct the corporation created under Section 91.121
to:
(1) plan and develop a high-speed rail facility under
the authority in this chapter;
(2) solicit federal funding to be allocated to the
department for the purposes of this subchapter;
(3) 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;
(4) 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
(5) 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. 91.123. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. A high-speed rail system
developed under this subchapter must:
(1) enhance connectivity to this state's largest
airports;
(2) enhance connectivity for and ease of passenger
transport to and 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. 91.124. REPORTS. The department annually shall submit
a report regarding the activities of the department and the
corporation under this subchapter to:
(1) the governor;
(2) the lieutenant governor;
(3) the speaker of the house of representatives; and
(4) the standing committee of each house of the
legislature that has primary jurisdiction over rail transportation
issues.
SECTION 3. 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.