SB2366 - Relating to a grant program to fund certain short line railroad projects.

      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