HB4662 - Relating to financial assistance for rail facilities.

      By: Hefner H.B. No. 4662       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to financial assistance for rail facilities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter O-1, to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER O-1.   FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR RAIL           Sec.   201.981.     GRANTS FOR SHORTLINE RAIL IMPROVEMENT.   (a)     In this section:                 (1)     "District" means a rural rail transportation   district to which Chapter 172, Transportation Code, applies.                 (2)     "Shortline railroad" means a Class II or Class III   railroad under the current railroad classification criteria set by   the federal Surface Transportation Board.           (b)     The legislature finds that shortline railroads   operating in this state develop and expand transportation and   commerce within the state in accordance with Section 52-a, Article   III, Texas Constitution.           (c)     The department may provide to a district or a shortline   railroad a grant to be used for track or bridge replacement, rail   capacity improvement, or rail restoration.   To be eligible for a   grant under this section, a project must increase public safety,   enhance economic development, or reduce traffic congestion on   public roadways.           (d)     A district or shortline railroad may use money provided   by the department under this section as matching funds to secure   federal funding for a purpose for which a grant may be made under   Subsection (c).           (e)     Each grant under this section must be approved by the   commission.   Before approving a grant, the commission shall require   that at least 10 percent of the total project cost, or if used as   matching funds, at least 10 percent of the amount used as matching   funds, be provided by sources other than the state.           (f)     For a grant under this section, the department may use   only money appropriated specifically for that purpose.   The   department may not use money deposited in the state treasury to the   credit of the state highway fund for a grant under this section.           (g)     The commission shall adopt rules to implement this   section.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.