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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the use of state money for high-speed rail operated by a |
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private entity. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 199, Transportation Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 199.003 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 199.003. USE OF STATE MONEY FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL. |
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(a) For the purposes of this section, "high-speed rail" means |
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intercity passenger rail service that is reasonably expected to |
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reach speeds of at least 110 miles per hour. |
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(b) Except as required by federal law or other state law, |
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including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. |
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Section 4321 et seq.): |
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(1) the legislature may not appropriate money to pay |
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for a cost of planning, facility construction or maintenance, or |
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security for, promotion of, or operation of, high-speed rail |
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operated by a private entity; and |
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(2) a state agency may not accept or use state money to |
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pay for a cost described by Subdivision (1). |
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(c) A state agency shall prepare a semiannual report of each |
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expense described by this section and submit a copy of each report |
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to: |
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(1) the commission; |
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(2) the comptroller; |
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(3) the committee in each house of the legislature |
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with primary jurisdiction over transportation; |
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(4) the speaker of the house of representatives; |
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(5) the lieutenant governor; and |
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(6) the governor. |
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(d) This section is not intended to preclude or limit the |
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execution of the department's responsibilities under federal law or |
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other state law, including: |
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(1) regulatory responsibilities; |
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(2) oversight of transportation projects; |
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(3) environmental review; |
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(4) policy development; |
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(5) communication with public officials; or |
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(6) coordinating with a private entity that operates |
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or proposes to operate high-speed rail in the same manner that the |
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department coordinates with other entities that operate |
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transportation projects. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |