SB 1769
Cook Bill Orders Private High-Speed Rail From Houston To Austin
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to the use of state money for high-speed rail operated by a private entity and to the construction of certain high-speed rail.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
TxDOT must sign with a private company. The rule on state money for private rail is repealed.
The bill orders the Texas Department of Transportation to sign a comprehensive development agreement with a private company to build, maintain and run high-speed rail between Houston and Austin. It also repeals Section 199.003 of the Transportation Code, which the caption ties to the use of state money for privately operated high-speed rail. The result is a required private rail deal on one route, plus removal of an existing rule on state money for private high-speed rail, starting September 1, 2025.
Labels
Labels: QUICK READ: 142 WORDS. The bill as filed runs 142 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Feb 28, 2025 and referred to the Senate Finance committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB1769 · 2025-02-28
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the use of state money for high-speed rail operated by a private entity and to the construction of certain high-speed rail.
WHAT IT DOES
TxDOT must sign with a private company. The rule on state money for private rail is repealed.
The bill orders the Texas Department of Transportation to sign a comprehensive development agreement with a private company to build, maintain and run high-speed rail between Houston and Austin. It also repeals Section 199.003 of the Transportation Code, which the caption ties to the use of state money for privately operated high-speed rail. The result is a required private rail deal on one route, plus removal of an existing rule on state money for private high-speed rail, starting September 1, 2025.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Finance
FILED UNDER
THE TEXT
…“department shall enter into a comprehensive development agreement”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill requires the state to make a development deal with a private rail operator, and the caption says it also changes the rules on state money for privately operated high-speed rail.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 27, 2024 to Jun 30, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$15,000.00
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$15,000.00
- Cash
- $15,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $15,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Jun 5, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100987960, 101029944, 101057026.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$15,000.00
- Cash
- $15,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $15,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Jun 5, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100987960, 101029944, 101057026.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas Senate · Filed Feb 28, 2025
03/13/2025 S Referred to Finance
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Finance · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
AUSTIN, CITY OF
HOUSTON, CITY OF
Transportation--Mass Transit
Transportation--Railroads
Text
The text as introduced · 142 words
89R9829 MZM-D By: Cook S.B. No. 1769 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the use of state money for high-speed rail operated by a private entity and to the construction of certain high-speed rail. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 91, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subchapter G to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER G. HIGH-SPEED RAIL Sec. 91.130. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "high-speed rail" means intercity passenger rail service that is reasonably expected to reach speeds of at least 110 miles per hour. Sec. 91.131. CONSTRUCTION OF HIGH-SPEED RAIL. The department shall enter into a comprehensive development agreement with a private entity to construct, maintain, and operate high-speed rail connecting Houston to Austin. SECTION 2. Section 199.003, Transportation Code, is repealed. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.