TITLE: Relating to a prohibition on the use of public money to pay for the alteration of a roadway related to high-speed rail construction.

SUMMARY: Relating to a prohibition on the use of public money to pay for the alteration of a roadway related to high-speed rail construction.

FULL TEXT:
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.