SENATE
                         NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING


COMMITTEE: Economic Development (Interim)

TIME & DATE:  9:30AM, Monday, April 27, 1998

PLACE: Senate Chamber

CHAIR: Senator David Sibley

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The committee will meet to discuss and take public testimony on the
effect of the current rail situation in Texas on commerce and economic
development, including:

1.  the statewide and regional economic impact of train delays and rail
    congestion;
2.  safety concerns regarding rail transportation;
3.  the adequacy of rail infrastructure in the border region (including
    border rail crossings);
4.  short and long-term effects that rail delays have had and/or may
    have on electricity costs;
5.  the NAFTA-related impacts that rail delays are having on state and
    local economic development;
6.  the impact of actions taken by the Surface Transportation Board to
    ease rail problems in Texas; and
7.  policy options to improve the current rail situation and to assist
    captive shippers.


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