Amend SB 1420 on third reading by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:
SECTION ____. Subchapter C, Chapter 111, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 111.103 to read as follows:
Sec. 111.103. HIGH SPEED RAIL SAFETY STANDARDS; FEES. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (f), on application by a railroad, the department by rule may adopt safety standards for high-speed passenger rail rolling stock and systems designed to operate at speeds in excess of 185 miles per hour for that railroad.
(b) The department may require the high-speed rail system to be isolated by grade separations or physical barriers from streets and roadways and existing freight or passenger railroads.
(c) The department shall consider safety records of rolling stock and systems operating internationally in countries with a history of safe commercial high-speed passenger rail service.
(d) A railroad is not required to seek approval of high-speed rail safety standards from the department if it is operating under standards approved by the Federal Railroad Administration or other federal authority.
(e) The department by rule shall adopt reasonable fees to recover all costs to administer this section.
(f) The department may not adopt safety standards for high-speed passenger rail rolling stock and systems unless the department has developed a high-speed rail plan.