BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1382

81R3249 JTS-D                                                                                                                By: Carona

Transportation & Homeland Security

4/4/2009

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, no state entity has a leading role in passenger rail development, which results in relatively little attention being paid to rail as an option for addressing some of the state's transportation problems, and the state lacking a comprehensive examination or plan for the development of a passenger rail system.

As proposed, S.B. 1382 requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to create a long-term plan for a statewide passenger rail system, which is required to include annual updates on existing and proposed passenger rail systems, analysis of potential interconnectivity problems, and ridership projections.  The bill requires TxDOT to coordinate the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of a statewide passenger rail system and to coordinate with local entities involved with passenger rail responsibilities. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, by adding Sections 201.6012 and 201.6013, as follows:

Sec. 201.6012.  COORDINATION OF STATEWIDE PASSENGER RAIL SYSTEM.  Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), to facilitate the development and interconnectivity of rail systems in this state, to coordinate activities regarding the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of a statewide passenger rail system.  Requires TxDOT to coordinate with other entities involved with passenger rail systems, including governmental entities, private entities, and nonprofit corporations.

Sec. 201.6013.  LONG-TERM PLAN FOR STATEWIDE PASSENGER RAIL SYSTEM.  Requires TxDOT to prepare and update annually a long-term plan for a statewide passenger rail system.  Requires that information contained in the plan include a description of existing and proposed passenger rail systems, information regarding the status of passenger rail systems under construction, an analysis of potential interconnectivity difficulties, ridership projections for proposed passenger rail projects, and ridership statistics for existing passenger rail systems.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2009.