| 1 | 1 | | 88R14357 JRR-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Kacal H.B. No. 4551 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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| 6 | 6 | | AN ACT |
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| 7 | 7 | | relating to a required water quality permit for construction of a |
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| 8 | 8 | | high-speed rail project. |
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| 9 | 9 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 10 | 10 | | SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 26, Water Code, is amended |
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| 11 | 11 | | by adding Section 26.054 to read as follows: |
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| 12 | 12 | | Sec. 26.054. PERMIT REQUIRED FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT. |
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| 13 | 13 | | (a) In this section, "high-speed rail" has the meaning assigned by |
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| 14 | 14 | | Section 112.201, Transportation Code. |
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| 15 | 15 | | (b) The commission may issue a permit authorizing the |
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| 16 | 16 | | construction and operation of a high-speed rail project only if the |
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| 17 | 17 | | commission determines that the construction and operation will not |
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| 18 | 18 | | adversely impact the quality of drinking water, surface water, or |
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| 19 | 19 | | groundwater in any area of this state. |
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| 20 | 20 | | (c) In addition to any other permit required by law, a |
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| 21 | 21 | | person may not begin construction of a high-speed rail project |
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| 22 | 22 | | without first obtaining a permit issued by the commission under |
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| 23 | 23 | | this section. |
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| 24 | 24 | | (d) The commission shall adopt rules to administer this |
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| 25 | 25 | | section, including rules establishing application procedures and |
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| 26 | 26 | | fees for a permit required by this section. |
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| 27 | 27 | | SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |
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