Bill > HB3727

This bill establishes a new grant program administered by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to fund railroad grade separation projects, which are infrastructure improvements that eliminate direct intersections between railroads and public roadways or pedestrian crossings. The program aims to increase public safety, enhance economic development, and reduce traffic by providing financial support to political subdivisions for constructing grade separation projects not part of the state highway system. To receive a grant, political subdivisions must secure at least 10% of project costs from non-state sources, and the grants will be approved by the Texas Transportation Commission. The department can fund the program using legislative appropriations and gifts or grants, but cannot use state highway funds. Political subdivisions receiving grants must designate TxDOT to manage contracting and project supervision, and the department will be required to follow state or federal contracting laws. The Texas Transportation Commission must adopt implementing rules by October 1, 2025, and the bill will take effect either immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the legislature or on September 1, 2025, if it does not receive the required immediate-effect vote.