78R1774 JTS-D

By:  King                                                         H.B. No. 188


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation to purchase or condemn real property for the Trans-Texas Corridor. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subchapter N to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER N. TRANS-TEXAS CORRIDOR
Sec. 201.961. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "Trans-Texas Corridor" means the multiuse, statewide transportation corridor described by the department's implementation plan adopted by the commission on June 27, 2002. Sec. 201.962. ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY. (a) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the legislature, the department may purchase or condemn real property necessary or convenient for the Trans-Texas Corridor, including purchasing or condemning real property for highway, railway, or utility purposes. (b) The authority to purchase or condemn real property under Subsection (a) includes the authority to acquire a right-of-way that may be leased by the department to a private entity for profit. SECTION 2. 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, 2003.