85R3629 JXC-D
By: Ashby H.B. No. 2172
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
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 other 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, 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 quarterly report of each
expense described by this section and submit a copy of each report
to:
(1) the commission;
(2) the committee in each house of the legislature
with primary jurisdiction over transportation;
(3) the lieutenant governor; and
(4) the governor.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.