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89(R) SB 2366 - Enrolled version - Bill Text
S.B. No. 2366
AN ACT
relating to a grant program to fund certain short line railroad
projects.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter O, Chapter 201, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 201.981 to read as follows:
Sec.
201.981.
GRANT PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN SHORT LINE RAILROAD
PROJECTS. (a)
In this section:
(1)
"District" has the meaning assigned by Section
172.001.
(2)
"Short line railroad" means a Class II or Class III
railroad as defined by the federal Surface Transportation Board.
(b)
For the purpose of increasing public safety, enhancing
economic development, and reducing traffic, the department shall
establish and administer a program to award grants to districts
that own or operate short line railroads to fund projects that:
(1) replace short line railroad tracks or bridges;
(2) improve short line rail capacity; or
(3) restore short line railways.
(c)
A district that owns or operates a short line railroad
may use money awarded by the department under this section as
matching funds to secure additional funding for a short line
railroad project described by Subsection (b).
(d)
Each grant awarded under this section must be approved
by the commission.
The commission may not approve a grant under
this section unless the commission determines that:
(1)
at least 10 percent of the total project costs will
be provided by a source other than the state; or
(2)
if the grant money is being used as matching funds
under Subsection (c), at least 10 percent of the amount used as
matching funds will be provided by a source other than the state.
(e)
The department may fund the grant program under this
section only from money appropriated by the legislature for that
purpose and from gifts and grants, including grants from the
federal government.
The department may solicit and accept gifts
and grants from any source for the purposes of this section.
Money
deposited to the credit of the state highway fund may not be used to
fund a grant awarded under this section.
(f)
The commission shall adopt rules as necessary to
implement this section.
SECTION 2. Not later than October 1, 2025, the Texas
Transportation Commission shall adopt the rules required by Section
201.981, Transportation Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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.
______________________________
______________________________
President of the Senate
Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2366 passed the Senate on
April 30, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2366 passed the House on
May 28, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 112, Nays 29, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor