89R13159 MZM-F     By: Nichols, Alvarado S.B. No. 1555       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a grant program to fund certain railroad grade   separation projects.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 471, Transportation Code, is amended by   adding Section 471.010 to read as follows:          Sec. 471.010.  GRANT PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN RAILROAD GRADE   SEPARATION PROJECTS. (a)  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 political subdivisions of this state or railroad companies to   fund:                (1)  rail-roadway grade separation projects that are   located at intersections of railroads and roadways that are not   part of the state highway system; and                (2)  rail-pedestrian grade separation projects that   are located at intersections of railroads and pedestrian crossings.          (b)  A political subdivision or railroad company may use   money awarded by the department under this section as matching   funds to secure additional funding for a grade separation project   described by Subsection (a).          (c)  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 (b), at least 10 percent of the amount used as   matching funds will be provided by a source other than the state.          (d)  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.          (e)  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   471.010, 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.