May 13, 2026 - TRA Newswire -

Gas pains. Growing pains. We suffer from both in Texas.

It's time to make changes. Transportation policy changes.

The 2027 Texas legislative session will be here before you know it. Many of the ideas for bills to be filed in the upcoming session will be discussed, developed and packaged this summer and filed later this fall, ahead of January 2027. 

We've been thinking of the most important rail issues facing Texas and have put together our 2026-2027 focus.

With Texas growth continuing at a rapid pace our overarching focus this session will be finding the ways and means to move people. We will still have a list of freight-oriented projects that are important to keep our economy moving strong, but we are at a critical point and must give our citizens more non-highway travel choices for the future if we want a vibrant economy.

Here's what we see that the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Transportation Commission and our elected leaders should focus on in this next session:

•  Establish a bi-partisan bi-cameral Texas Legislative Rail Transportation
   Caucus with Republican and Democrat Co-Chairs and change transportation policy

           Focus: high-speed and intercity passenger rail, innovative infrastructure delivery, integration of new technologies that        enhance connectivity, economic competitiveness, and long-term mobility across Texas       

• Monitor, promote and expand Rail Grant Programs established by the 2025 Texas Legislature: At-Grade Rail/Highway Separations and Short Line Railroads

           Focus: Monitor implementation of at-grade separation awarded projects and request additional state funding in 2027 Texas session that can be coupled with available federal rail grant programs

           Focus: Modify Texas Short Line Railroad Grant Program law to allow local and regional governmental entities to be awarded and administer short line grants. Current law only allows rural rail districts to participate

• TxDOT and the Texas Transportation Commission / Texas Legislature

            Focus: Create a TxDOT Intercity Passenger Rail Advisory Committee

            Focus: Operational & Marketing Assistance for the OK-TX State-Supported Heartland Flyer

 
            Focus: Create a Texas Passenger Rail Revolving Fund

We will also be keeping our eye on Congressional efforts in DC as rail programs will have to be renewed:

• Fully fund Congressional passenger and freight rail programs administered by the Federal Railroad Administration

           Focus: Amtrak’s national network that includes rail service in Texas; Re-fleeting Amtrak’s aging national trains; Daily service on the Sunset Limited: Extension of the Crescent through E Texas  

          Focus: Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements; Railroad Crossing and Elimination Program

          Focus: Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail; Corridor Identification and Development Program

             (Corridor ID)

We hope you share our views and appreciate your support.