May 16, 2017 - TRA Newswire -

SENATE BILL 979 TO BE HEARD WEDNESDAY MORNING IN AUSTIN IN HOUSE LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. ROOM E2.026.


 


CALL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE TO OPPOSE THIS JOB KILLING BILL. THAT IS BLATANTLY DISCRIMINATORY AGAINST A HIGH SPEED RAILROAD PROJECT


 


SB 979 by Schwertner/HB 2179 by Cook – prohibits an entity that operates or plans to operate a high-speed railroad from using property acquired for purposes other than high-speed rail. If the high-speed rail authority doesn’t use the property for that specific purpose, the original landowner must be given opportunity to repurchase the land.


 


VERY BAD BILL. Prevents railroad entity from use of eminent domain. Blatantly discriminatory but could tie up HSR in the courts for a long time, internally contradictory (requires report on actions which are prohibited)


 


Unintended consequence: If a high speed entity also wanted to use the right-of-way to lay a fiber optics cable for their own use and resell the excess capacity that would violate this law


 


Here are the members of the committee. If you are in their district call their office to oppose SB979. Otherwise contact your state representative and let them know you oppose this bill when and if it comes to the full House floor vote.


 


Chair: Rep. Abel Herrero


Vice Chair: Rep. Cecil Bell


Members: Rep. Ernest Bailes


Rep. César Blanco


Rep. Wayne Faircloth


Rep. Matt Krause


Rep. Lynn Stucky