The bill would require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to establish a permitting process under which a railroad would be required to obtain a permit from TxDOT to allow a railroad employee whose primary reporting point is the United Mexican States (covered rail employee) to perform a railroad service in Texas. The bill would require TxDOT to hold a public hearing and allow public comment for each permit application received. The bill would authorize TxDOT to inspect a railroad's safety training of a covered rail employee and access any rail facility where training is conducted. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2021.
According to TxDOT, the agency would require additional personnel to establish and implement the permitting process required by the bill. Because the number of covered rail employees for whom a permit would be required under the provisions of the bill and the potential scope of the permitting program is unknown, the costs to TxDOT to implement the provisions of the bill cannot be determined at this time.
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.