S.B. No. 977
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of state money for high-speed rail operated by a
  private entity.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 199, Transportation Code, is amended by
  adding Section 199.003 to read as follows:
         Sec. 199.003.  USE OF STATE MONEY FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL.  
  (a)  For the purposes of this section, "high-speed rail" means
  intercity passenger rail service that is reasonably expected to
  reach speeds of at least 110 miles per hour.
         (b)  Except as required by federal law or other state law,
  including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
  Section 4321 et seq.):
               (1)  the legislature may not appropriate money to pay
  for a cost of planning, facility construction or maintenance, or
  security for, promotion of, or operation of, high-speed rail
  operated by a private entity; and
               (2)  a state agency may not accept or use state money to
  pay for a cost described by Subdivision (1).
         (c)  A state agency shall prepare a semiannual report of each
  expense described by this section and submit a copy of each report
  to:
               (1)  the commission;
               (2)  the comptroller;
               (3)  the committee in each house of the legislature
  with primary jurisdiction over transportation;
               (4)  the speaker of the house of representatives;
               (5)  the lieutenant governor; and
               (6)  the governor.
         (d)  This section is not intended to preclude or limit the
  execution of the department's responsibilities under federal law or
  other state law, including:
               (1)  regulatory responsibilities;
               (2)  oversight of transportation projects;
               (3)  environmental review;
               (4)  policy development;
               (5)  communication with public officials; or
               (6)  coordinating with a private entity that operates
  or proposes to operate high-speed rail in the same manner that the
  department coordinates with other entities that operate
  transportation projects.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 977 passed the Senate on
  April 18, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 26, Nays 5.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 977 passed the House on
  May 21, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 130, Nays 11, one
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor