bill barring public money for high-speed rail roadwork

The text as introduced · 294 words

89R1473 DRS-D

By: Harris
H.B. No. 1402

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a prohibition on the use of public money to pay for the

alteration of a roadway related to high-speed rail construction.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Section 199.003, Transportation

Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 199.003. USE OF PUBLIC [ STATE ] MONEY FOR HIGH-SPEED

RAIL.

SECTION 2. Sections 199.003(a) and (b), Transportation

Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) For the purposes of this section : [ , ]

(1) " High-speed [ high-speed ] rail" means intercity

passenger rail service that is reasonably expected to reach speeds

of at least 110 miles per hour.

(2) "Public money" means money of this state, a state

agency, or a political subdivision of this state or money the state,

state agency, or political subdivision controls or directs.

(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 public [ state ]

money to pay for a cost described by Subdivision (1) ; and

(3) this state, a state agency, or a political

subdivision of this state may not use public money to pay for the

alteration of a roadway related to the construction of a high-speed

rail project operated by a public or private entity .

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.