HB 1402

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

House Bill • Harris | Orr

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

In Committee

Hearing Scheduled

Passed Committee

Floor Calendar

Passed Chamber

Sent to Other Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Sent to Governor

Signed into Law

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

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Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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What This Bill Does

This Texas bill prohibits the use of public money for roadway alterations related to high-speed rail construction, whether the rail project is operated by a public or private entity. The legislation prevents state agencies, the state government, and local political subdivisions from spending public funds to modify roads for high-speed rail projects. The bill effectively blocks financial support for roadway changes associated with high-speed rail infrastructure, limiting potential public investment in such transportation developments.

Subject Areas

Highways City Government--Roads County Government--Roads Transportation--Railroads State Agencies, Boards & Commissions

Bill Text

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
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.
(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.