| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to limitations on the applicability of certain statutes to |
|
|
high-speed rail. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 112.002, Transportation Code, is amended |
|
|
by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as |
|
|
follows: |
|
|
(b) A railroad company may: |
|
|
(1) sue, be sued, plead, and be impleaded in its |
|
|
corporate name; |
|
|
(2) have and use a seal and alter the seal at will; |
|
|
(3) receive and convey persons and property on its |
|
|
railway by any mechanical power, including the use of steam; |
|
|
(4) regulate the time and manner in which, and the |
|
|
compensation for which, passengers and property are transported, |
|
|
subject to the provisions of law; |
|
|
(5) except as provided by Subsection (c), exercise the |
|
|
power of eminent domain for the purposes prescribed by this |
|
|
subtitle or Subtitle D; |
|
|
(6) purchase, hold, and use all property as necessary |
|
|
for the construction and use of its railway, stations, and other |
|
|
accommodations necessary to accomplish company objectives, and |
|
|
convey that property when no longer required for railway use; and |
|
|
(7) take, hold, and use property granted to the |
|
|
company to aid in the construction and use of its railway, and |
|
|
convey that property in a manner consistent with the terms of the |
|
|
grant when the property is no longer required for railway use. |
|
|
(c) A private entity may not exercise the power of eminent |
|
|
domain for the purpose of developing or operating high-speed rail, |
|
|
as defined by Section 111.103, 112.201, or 199.003. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 131, Transportation Code, |
|
|
is amended by adding Section 131.0115 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 131.0115. INAPPLICABILITY TO HIGH-SPEED RAIL. This |
|
|
subchapter does not apply to high-speed rail, as defined by Section |
|
|
111.103, 112.201, or 199.003. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |