86R5259 JTS-D
By: Harris H.B. No. 1370
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a joint interim committee on high-speed
rail development.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Committee" means the joint interim committee on
high-speed rail development.
(2) "Department" means the Texas Department of
Transportation.
SECTION 2. CREATION OF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEE. (a) The
joint interim committee on high-speed rail development is composed
of:
(1) three members of the house of representatives
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
(2) three senators appointed by the lieutenant
governor.
(b) The speaker of the house of representatives and the
lieutenant governor shall make the appointments under Subsection
(a) of this section not later than the 60th day after the effective
date of this Act.
(c) The speaker of the house of representatives and the
lieutenant governor shall each designate a co-chair from among the
committee members.
(d) The committee shall convene at the joint call of the
co-chairs.
(e) The committee has all other powers and duties provided
to a special or select committee by the rules of the senate and
house of representatives, by Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government
Code, and by policies of the senate and house committees on
administration.
SECTION 3. INTERIM STUDY REGARDING HIGH-SPEED RAIL. The
committee shall:
(1) evaluate the feasibility of creating a statewide
high-speed rail initiative through a public-private partnership;
and
(2) work with the department to develop a
comprehensive statewide strategy for the development of high-speed
rail in this state.
SECTION 4. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2020, the
committee shall provide to the legislature a written report:
(1) addressing the feasibility of creating a statewide
high-speed rail initiative through a public-private partnership;
and
(2) proposing a comprehensive statewide strategy for
the high-speed rail development in this state.
SECTION 5. ABOLITION OF COMMITTEE. The committee created
by this Act is abolished and this Act expires January 1, 2021.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2019.