Bill
SB 977
85(R) - 2017
Senate Transportation
House Transportation
Senate Transportation
House Transportation
Finance
State Agencies
Transportation & Infrastructure
Vote Recommendation
Yes
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Positive
-
Neutral
-
Neutral
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Positive
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Neutral
Author(s)
Charles Schwertner
Co-Author(s)
Brandon Creighton
Lois Kolkhorst
Sponsor(s)
Trent Ashby
Bill Caption
Relating to the use of state money for high-speed rail operated by a private entity.
Fiscal Notes
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
SB 977 would prohibit the legislature from appropriating funds, except as required by federal law, "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". The bill would also ban a state agency from accepting or using state money to pay for the aforementioned things. Semiannual reports on such spending by a state agency would be provided to relevant lawmakers.
Vote Recommendation Notes
This bill supports the principles of limited government and free markets by prohibiting appropriation of state funds for private high-speed rail construction. For this reason, we support SB 977.
Organizations Supporting
Texans for Toll-free Highways
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
Texas Farm Bureau
Texas TURF
Organizations Opposed
City of Dallas
City of San Antonio
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