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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to restrictions on certain state agency actions relating |
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to high-speed rail projects. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 112, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 112.004 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 112.004. RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN STATE AGENCY ACTIONS |
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RELATING TO HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECTS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "High-speed rail" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 112.201. |
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(2) "State agency" means a board, commission, council, |
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committee, department, office, agency, or other governmental |
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entity in the executive branch of state government. The term does |
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not include an institution of higher education as defined by |
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Section 61.003, Education Code. |
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(b) Unless a state agency determines that a private entity |
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has obtained all necessary federal approvals and permits for the |
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construction of a high-speed rail project, the state agency may |
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not: |
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(1) issue any permit required for the project; or |
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(2) negotiate or enter into an agreement with the |
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private entity for right-of-way access for the project. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |