BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2003
89R8078 JAM-D	By: Harris et al. (Kolkhorst)
	Transportation
	5/8/2025
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

More than a decade ago, plans were announced for a high-speed rail project connecting Dallas to Houston. This project was slated to run through East Texas, and eminent domain notices went out to landowners impacted by the proposed route.

 

Since then, little progress has been made on this project. With operations halted, it is impossible for East Texas landowners, many of whom have received these eminent domain notices, to ascertain the true status of the project. Meanwhile, their land remains under a cloud of possible seizure which can depress land values and inhibit needed capital investment. After a decade of uncertainty, these landowners deserve transparency.

 

H.B. 2003 seeks to require an entity that proposes a high-speed rail project to disclose certain information to the Texas Department of Transportation each year that the project is included in the Texas Rail Plan, including timelines for the project and the proposed route, and to provide for the posting of that information online.

 

H.B. 2003 amends current law relating to provision to the Texas Department of Transportation of information regarding certain high-speed rail projects.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 111, Transportation Code, by adding Section 111.059, as follows:

 

Sec. 111.059. INFORMATION ON CERTAIN HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECTS. (a) Defines "high-speed rail."

 

(b) Requires an entity that proposes a high-speed rail project to submit to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) each year that the project is included in the Texas Rail Plan certain information.

 

(c) Requires TxDOT to make the information submitted under this section available to the public on TxDOT's Internet website.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.