|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation |
|
to approve safety standards for high-speed rail; authorizing a fee. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 111, Transportation Code, |
|
is amended by adding Section 111.103 to read as follows: |
|
Section 111.103: HIGH SPEED RAIL SAFETY STANDARDS; FEES. |
|
(a) Upon application by a railroad, the department by rule |
|
may adopt safety standards for high-speed passenger rail rolling |
|
stock and systems designed to operate at speeds in excess of 185 |
|
miles per hour for that railroad. |
|
(b) The department may require the high-speed rail system to |
|
be isolated by grade separations or physical barriers from streets |
|
and roadways and existing freight or passenger railroads. |
|
(c) The department shall consider safety records of rolling |
|
stock and systems operating internationally in countries with a |
|
history of safe commercial high-speed passenger rail service. |
|
(d) A railroad is not required to seek approval of |
|
high-speed rail safety standards from the department if it is |
|
operating under standards approved by the Federal Railroad |
|
Administration or other federal authority. |
|
(e) The department by rule shall adopt reasonable fees to |
|
recover all costs to administer this section. |
|
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, 2011. |