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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the facilitation, analysis, and implementation of |
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high-speed passenger rail in this state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 91.001, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by adding Subdivision (3-a) to read as follows: |
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(3-a) "High-speed rail" means passenger rail service |
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capable of operating at speeds of more than 200 miles per hour. |
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SECTION 2. Chapter 91, Transportation Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter G to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER G. HIGH-SPEED RAIL FACILITATION AND ANALYSIS |
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Sec. 91.121. TEXAS HIGH-SPEED RAIL CORPORATION. (a) The |
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commission shall create a corporation under Subchapter B, Chapter |
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431, for purposes of this subchapter. |
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(b) The corporation is not subject to the limitation |
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provided by Section 431.072. |
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(c) The corporation must have a board of seven members, of |
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whom: |
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(1) three are appointed by the commission; and |
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(2) four are appointed by the commission from a list of |
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candidates submitted by the South Central High Speed Rail and |
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Transportation Authority, Incorporated, a local government |
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corporation organized under Subchapter D, Chapter 431. |
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Sec. 91.122. DEVELOPMENT OF SYSTEM. Subject to the |
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commission's oversight and control under Chapter 431, the |
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commission may direct the corporation created under Section 91.121 |
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to: |
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(1) plan and develop a high-speed rail facility under |
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the authority in this chapter; |
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(2) solicit federal funding to be allocated to the |
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department for the purposes of this subchapter; |
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(3) coordinate with federal planners and |
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representatives from adjacent states for the interconnectivity of |
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high-speed rail systems in this state with systems developed in |
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federally designated high-speed rail corridors in other states; |
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(4) represent and negotiate on behalf of this state |
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for the interconnectivity of high-speed rail with existing and |
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planned transportation systems, including airports, seaports, |
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transit systems, commuter rail systems, and highways; and |
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(5) coordinate with federal transportation planners |
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and officials at the United States Department of Defense or its |
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successor agency regarding issues related to the provision of |
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connectivity to military installations in this state. |
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Sec. 91.123. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. A high-speed rail system |
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developed under this subchapter must: |
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(1) enhance connectivity to this state's largest |
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airports; |
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(2) enhance connectivity for and ease of passenger |
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transport to and from military installations located in this state; |
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and |
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(3) be developed in collaboration with high-speed rail |
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projects in other areas of the United States to ensure |
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interconnectivity with other federally designated high-speed rail |
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corridors. |
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Sec. 91.124. REPORTS. The department annually shall submit |
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a report regarding the activities of the department and the |
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corporation under this subchapter to: |
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(1) the governor; |
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(2) the lieutenant governor; |
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(3) the speaker of the house of representatives; and |
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(4) the standing committee of each house of the |
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legislature that has primary jurisdiction over rail transportation |
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issues. |
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SECTION 3. 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, 2009. |