By: Schwertner, Creighton S.B. No. 979       Kolkhorst     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the disposition of real property intended for   high-speed rail projects.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 112, Transportation Code,   is amended by adding Section 112.063 to read as follows:          Sec. 112.063.  DISPOSITION OF REAL PROPERTY ACQUIRED FOR   HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT. (a)  In this section, "high-speed rail"   means intercity passenger service that is reasonably expected to   reach speeds of at least 110 miles per hour.          (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (d), a private entity   that operates or plans to operate a high-speed rail project,   represents itself as having the power of eminent domain, and   acquires real property for a high-speed rail project may not use the   property for any purpose other than a high-speed rail project.          (c)  Except as provided by Subsection (d), a person from whom   real property is acquired by a private entity as described by   Subsection (b), and the person's heirs, successors, and assigns,   are entitled to notice and opportunity to repurchase the property   before all other purchasers for the price paid to the owner by the   entity at the time the entity acquired the property if:                (1)  the high-speed rail project for which the property   was acquired is canceled before the property is used for that   project;                (2)  the property is not used for the high-speed rail   project for which the property was acquired before the 10th   anniversary of the date of acquisition; or                (3)  the property becomes unnecessary for the   high-speed rail project for which the property was acquired before   the 10th anniversary of the date of acquisition.          (d)  Subsections (b) and (c) do not apply to real property   acquired by a private entity as described by Subsection (b) that is   not acquired through a condemnation proceeding under Chapter 21,   Property Code, if, before the acquisition of the property:                (1)  the entity acquiring the property gives written   notice to the person from whom the property is to be acquired that   the property may be used for a purpose other than a high-speed rail   project; and                (2)  the person from whom the property is to be acquired   signs a statement acknowledging that written notice was given under   Subdivision (1).          (e)  This section does not affect:                (1)  the rights of a person from whom real property is   acquired under Chapter 21, Property Code; or                (2)  any statutory right of an entity with the power of   eminent domain.          (f)  Notice and repurchase as required by Subsection (c)   shall follow the timelines and processes for notice and repurchase   in Chapter 21, Property Code.          (g)  This section applies to a private entity that represents   itself:                (1)  as a railroad, whether or not the entity is a   railroad; or                (2)  as another entity that may exercise the power of   eminent domain.          SECTION 2.  Section 112.063, Transportation Code, as added   by this Act, applies only to real property acquired on or after   September 1, 2017.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.