November 10, 2026 - TRA Austin -
Monday was the first day Texas legislators could file bills for the 2027 session and yes, they did. According to the Texas Tribune over 1,260 bills were filed by the close of business Monday.
Three rail bills were among the flurry of proposals that will be considered when the legislature convenes in January. They are joined by changes to school vouchers, property taxes, incentives for data centers, abortion, marijuana laws and other issues.
Democrats will take control of the Texas House while Republicans will maintain a Senate majority, but with a Democrat leading as Lt. Governor.
Texas Rail Advocates likes two of the bills and gives a third the thumbs down.
Austin Representative John Bucy (D)-District 136 filed a bill similar to one in 2025. The bill would direct the Texas Department of Transportation to advance a high-speed rail line connecting Dallas, Waco, Austin and San Antonio along the congested Interstate 35 corridor. TxDOT would enter into a comprehensive development agreement (CDA) with a private company to build, maintain and operate the line, which would have to reach speeds of at least 110 miles per hour.
Representative Bucy's office issued this statement: "Texans made their priorities clear, now it’s our job to turn them into progress. High speed rail is the next critical investment in the Texas economic miracle. Public transit connects urban and rural communities, strengthens regional economies, and delivers tangible benefits to all Texans. Every day for the last 26 years there has been a fatality on Texas roads. and we can do more to address that. Transit is safe, convenient, and gives Texans options. As Texas enters a new political chapter, we have an opportunity to define what comes next."
Texas Rail Advocates feels the I-35 high-speed rail bill should be heard and advance in the House and Senate. I-35 travelers deserve transportation options.
Representative Armando Walle (D)-Houston District 140. His bill, if passed, would allow voters to approve a constitutional amendment. It would dedicate a portion of state highway funds for public transportation, bike lanes and sidewalks. This could be beneficial for local and regional passenger rail projects and is on our "yes" list.
Midlothian State Representative Brian Harrison (R)-District 10 filed a bill similar to one that filed in 2025. It would have a chilling effect on high-speed rail projects in the state. The 2025 text read: "This bill would not allow a private entity, described as a railroad, to exercise the power of eminent domain for the purpose of developing or operating high-speed rail. In 2022 the Texas Supreme Court decided that Texas Central, a railroad engaged in building high-speed rail between Dallas and Houston, had the right to acquire land to build the line. If passed, this would supersede the Supreme Court’s decision." TRA gives this a thumbs down. Representative Harrison's bill might as well keep Texas in "stagecoach-speed" when traffic congestion gets worse and roadway travel time increases.
You can follow all rail bills this session on our "Under the Dome" 2027 Texas Legislature Rail Issues page: www.texasrailadvocates.org/issues/2027-texas-legislature-rail-issues.html
Monday was the first day Texas legislators could file bills for the 2027 session and yes, they did. According to the Texas Tribune over 1,260 bills were filed by the close of business Monday.
Three rail bills were among the flurry of proposals that will be considered when the legislature convenes in January. They are joined by changes to school vouchers, property taxes, incentives for data centers, abortion, marijuana laws and other issues.
Democrats will take control of the Texas House while Republicans will maintain a Senate majority, but with a Democrat leading as Lt. Governor.
Texas Rail Advocates likes two of the bills and gives a third the thumbs down.
Austin Representative John Bucy (D)-District 136 filed a bill similar to one in 2025. The bill would direct the Texas Department of Transportation to advance a high-speed rail line connecting Dallas, Waco, Austin and San Antonio along the congested Interstate 35 corridor. TxDOT would enter into a comprehensive development agreement (CDA) with a private company to build, maintain and operate the line, which would have to reach speeds of at least 110 miles per hour.
Representative Bucy's office issued this statement: "Texans made their priorities clear, now it’s our job to turn them into progress. High speed rail is the next critical investment in the Texas economic miracle. Public transit connects urban and rural communities, strengthens regional economies, and delivers tangible benefits to all Texans. Every day for the last 26 years there has been a fatality on Texas roads. and we can do more to address that. Transit is safe, convenient, and gives Texans options. As Texas enters a new political chapter, we have an opportunity to define what comes next."
Texas Rail Advocates feels the I-35 high-speed rail bill should be heard and advance in the House and Senate. I-35 travelers deserve transportation options.
Representative Armando Walle (D)-Houston District 140. His bill, if passed, would allow voters to approve a constitutional amendment. It would dedicate a portion of state highway funds for public transportation, bike lanes and sidewalks. This could be beneficial for local and regional passenger rail projects and is on our "yes" list.
Midlothian State Representative Brian Harrison (R)-District 10 filed a bill similar to one that filed in 2025. It would have a chilling effect on high-speed rail projects in the state. The 2025 text read: "This bill would not allow a private entity, described as a railroad, to exercise the power of eminent domain for the purpose of developing or operating high-speed rail. In 2022 the Texas Supreme Court decided that Texas Central, a railroad engaged in building high-speed rail between Dallas and Houston, had the right to acquire land to build the line. If passed, this would supersede the Supreme Court’s decision." TRA gives this a thumbs down. Representative Harrison's bill might as well keep Texas in "stagecoach-speed" when traffic congestion gets worse and roadway travel time increases.
You can follow all rail bills this session on our "Under the Dome" 2027 Texas Legislature Rail Issues page: www.texasrailadvocates.org/issues/2027-texas-legislature-rail-issues.html