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