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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. Title 5, Transportation Code, is amended by |
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adding Chapter 92 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 92. HIGH-SPEED RAIL |
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SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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Sec. 92.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) "High-speed rail" means passenger rail service |
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capable of operating at speeds greater than 200 miles per hour. |
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(2) "High-speed rail corporation" means the nonprofit |
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corporation with which the institute contracts under Section |
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92.051. |
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(3) "Institute" means the Texas Transportation |
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Institute. |
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[Sections 92.002-92.050 reserved for expansion] |
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SUBCHAPTER B. HIGH-SPEED RAIL FACILITATION, ANALYSIS, AND |
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IMPLEMENTATION |
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Sec. 92.051. CONTRACT FOR FACILITATION, ANALYSIS, AND |
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IMPLEMENTATION. (a) The institute shall contract with a nonprofit |
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corporation consisting of local transportation and elected |
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officials organized to implement high-speed rail in this state, to |
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negotiate on behalf of this state, and to facilitate, analyze, and |
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implement the development of high-speed rail. |
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(b) The high-speed rail corporation may: |
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(1) solicit federal and state funding to be allocated |
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to the institute for the purposes of this subchapter; |
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(2) 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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(3) 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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(4) 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. 92.052. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. The high-speed rail |
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system developed under this subchapter must: |
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(1) provide high-speed rail connectivity to this |
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state's four largest airports; |
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(2) enhance connectivity for and ease of passenger |
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transport from military installations located in this state; 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. 92.053. REPORTS. The high-speed rail corporation shall |
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annually submit a report regarding its activities under this |
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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 in the senate and the house |
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of representatives that has primary jurisdiction over rail |
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transportation issues. |
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SECTION 2. 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. |