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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the security of high-speed rail operated by a private |
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entity. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 112, Transportation Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter E to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER E. SECURITY FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL OPERATED BY PRIVATE |
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ENTITY |
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Sec. 112.201. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "high-speed |
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rail" means intercity passenger rail service that is reasonably |
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expected to reach speeds of at least 110 miles per hour. |
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Sec. 112.202. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies only |
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to high-speed rail operated by a private entity. |
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Sec. 112.203. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY POWERS AND |
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DUTIES. (a) To the extent not preempted by federal law, the |
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Department of Public Safety: |
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(1) shall administer and enforce the provisions of |
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this subchapter; and |
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(2) may adopt rules as necessary to administer this |
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subchapter. |
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(b) In carrying out the powers and duties under this |
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subchapter, the Department of Public Safety has the same authority |
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granted to the Texas Department of Transportation under Subchapter |
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B, Chapter 111. |
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(c) The Department of Public Safety shall provide the |
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emergency management training course described by Section 418.005, |
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Government Code, to employees of a high-speed rail line designated |
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under Section 112.204(c). |
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Sec. 112.204. SECURITY. (a) A high-speed rail operator |
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shall, in the manner required by law for Amtrak, as defined by 49 |
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U.S.C. Section 24301, including by implementing any measures |
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required by regulations or guidelines adopted for Amtrak by the |
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Transportation Security Administration or a successor agency: |
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(1) establish secured areas; |
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(2) operate security screening stations; and |
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(3) provide on-board security for the entire rail |
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line. |
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(b) A high-speed rail operator shall collect and |
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investigate security threat reports submitted by members of the |
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public. |
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(c) A high-speed rail operator shall: |
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(1) designate employees who are managers or |
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supervisors and whose position description, job duties, or |
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assignment includes emergency management responsibilities; and |
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(2) require those employees to complete the emergency |
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management training described by Section 418.005, Government Code. |
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(d) A high-speed rail operator may not use the services of a |
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peace officer employed by this state or a political subdivision of |
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this state unless the operator compensates the state or political |
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subdivision, as applicable, for the officer's time. |
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Sec. 112.205. COORDINATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES. (a) A |
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high-speed rail operator shall coordinate security activities and |
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investigations with local law enforcement agencies, including by |
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communicating about credible threats, major events, and vulnerable |
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places along the rail line or on a train. |
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(b) A high-speed rail operator shall communicate as |
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appropriate with the state Emergency Management Council and the |
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Texas Division of Emergency Management about security 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, 2017. |
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* * * * * |