Title TN, Transportation Code

Sec. 172.052. CREATION OF DISTRICT BY MORE THAN ONE COUNTY. (a) The commissioners courts of two or more counties that are a contiguous area may by concurrent order: (1) create a district; or (2) provide for the re-creation of a district by the addition of one or more counties. (b…

Sec. 172.053. CREATION OF DISTRICT BY ONE COUNTY. (a) The commissioners court of a county may by order create a district in that county to develop, finance, maintain, and operate a new rail system under this chapter and for other purposes of this chapter. (b) The boundaries of a …

Sec. 172.054. NOTICE OF CREATION. (a) The board of each newly created district shall provide notice to the Texas Transportation Institute of the district's creation. (b) On being notified by the board, the Texas Transportation Institute shall make available to the board a guide t…

Sec. 172.055. AUTOMATIC ASSUMPTION OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AFTER CREATION BY CERTAIN DISTRICTS. A district created or re-created under Section 172.052 automatically assumes any obligation of a contract executed by the district or a predecessor district that is in force on the …

Sec. 172.101. CONTROL OF DISTRICT. (a) The board is responsible for the management, operation, and control of the district. (b) The right to control and regulate district affairs is vested exclusively in the board except as specifically otherwise provided by this chapter. Added b…

Sec. 172.102. TERMS. (a) A director serves a two-year term. (b) An initial director serves a term ending on the second anniversary of the date: (1) the latest concurrent order creating or re-creating the district under Section 172.052 was adopted; or (2) an order creating the dis…

Sec. 172.103. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE. (a) To be eligible for appointment as a director, a person must be a resident of the county governed by the commissioners court that appoints the person. (b) An elected officer of this state or a political subdivision of this state who is …

Sec. 172.104. VACANCY. The commissioners court that appointed a director who vacates the position shall appoint a director for the unexpired term. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 2.04, eff. April 1, 2011.

Sec. 172.105. REMOVAL. (a) The commissioners court that appointed a director may remove the director from office for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office after: (1) at least 10 days' written notice to the director; and (2) a hearing before the commissioners court. (b) At the …

Sec. 172.106. OFFICERS. The board shall select a president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. The secretary is not required to be a director. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 2.04, eff. April 1, 2011.

Sec. 172.107. MEETINGS; NOTICE. (a) The board shall hold at least one regular meeting each month to conduct district business. (b) The president may call a special board meeting. (c) Chapter 551, Government Code, applies to board meetings, except that notice of a board meeting sh…

Sec. 172.108. RULES FOR PROCEEDINGS. The board shall adopt rules for its proceedings. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 2.04, eff. April 1, 2011.

Sec. 172.109. EMPLOYEES. The board may employ and compensate persons to carry out the powers and duties of the district. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 2.04, eff. April 1, 2011.

Sec. 172.110. PECUNIARY INTEREST IN CERTAIN CONTRACTS PROHIBITED. A district employee may not have a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any contract or agreement to which the district is a party. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 2.04, eff. April…

Sec. 172.151. GENERAL POWERS OF DISTRICT; GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS. (a) A district has all powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter. (b) A district may generally perform all acts necessary for the full exercise of the district's powers. Added by Acts…

Sec. 172.152. RULES. To protect the state's health, safety, and general welfare, a district may adopt rules to govern the operation of the district, its employees, the rail facilities, service provided by the district, and any other necessary matter concerning its purposes, inclu…

Sec. 172.153. AGREEMENTS GENERALLY. A district may make contracts, leases, and agreements with the United States, this state and its agencies and political subdivisions, public or private corporations, and any other person. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540),…

Sec. 172.154. AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER ENTITIES FOR JOINT USE. A district may: (1) enter into agreements with a public utility, private utility, communication system, common carrier, or transportation system for the joint use of its facilities, installations, or property inside or o…

Sec. 172.155. JOINT OWNERSHIP AGREEMENTS. A district may enter into a joint ownership agreement with any person. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 2.04, eff. April 1, 2011.

Sec. 172.156. AWARDING CONSTRUCTION OR PURCHASE CONTRACTS. (a) A contract in the amount of more than $15,000 for the construction of improvements or the purchase of material, machinery, equipment, supplies, or any other property except real property may be awarded only through co…

Sec. 172.157. EMINENT DOMAIN. (a) A district may exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire: (1) land in fee simple; or (2) any interest less than fee simple in, on, under, or above land, including an easement, right-of-way, or right of use of airspace or subsurface space. (…

Sec. 172.1571. RESTORATION OF CERTAIN EXPIRED EMINENT DOMAIN AUTHORITY. (a) This section applies only to a district: (1) whose authority to exercise the power of eminent domain under Section 172.157 expired under Section 2206.101(c), Government Code; and (2) that is located in a …

Sec. 172.158. DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY. (a) A district may sell, lease, convey, or otherwise dispose of any right, interest, or property not needed for or, in the case of a lease, not inconsistent with the efficient operation and maintenance of the system. (b) A district m…

Sec. 172.159. SUITS. (a) A district may: (1) sue and be sued; (2) institute and prosecute suits without giving security for costs; and (3) appeal from a judgment without giving a supersedeas or cost bond. (b) An action at law or in equity against the district must be brought in t…

Sec. 172.160. PERPETUAL SUCCESSION. A district has perpetual succession. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 2.04, eff. April 1, 2011. SUBCHAPTER E. POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATION OF RAIL FACILITIES

Sec. 172.201. GENERAL AUTHORITY OVER RAIL FACILITIES. A district may plan, acquire, construct, complete, develop, own, operate, and maintain rail facilities inside or outside the district. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 2.04, eff. April 1, 2011.

Sec. 172.202. USE AND ALTERATION OF PROPERTY OF ANOTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. For a purpose described by Section 172.201, as necessary or useful in the construction, reconstruction, repair, maintenance, and operation of rail facilities, and subject to a grant previously secured …

Sec. 172.203. RULES GOVERNING SYSTEM; ROUTINGS. A district by resolution may adopt rules governing the use, operation, and maintenance of the system and shall determine all routings and change them when the board considers it advisable. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85…

Sec. 172.204. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY. (a) A district may purchase, whenever the district considers the purchase expedient, land, property rights, right-of-way, franchises, easements, and other interests in land the district considers necessary to acquire, construct, or operate a…

Sec. 172.205. POWERS RELATING TO DISTRICT PROPERTY. A district may acquire by grant, purchase, gift, devise, lease, or otherwise and may hold, use, sell, lease, or dispose of property, including a license, a patent, a right, or an interest, necessary, convenient, or useful for th…

Sec. 172.206. ACQUISITION OF ROLLING STOCK AND OTHER PROPERTY. A district may acquire rolling stock or other property, under a conditional sales contract, lease, equipment trust certificate, or other form of contract or trust agreement. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85…

Sec. 172.207. COMPENSATION FOR USE OF SYSTEM FACILITIES. (a) A district shall establish and maintain reasonable and nondiscriminatory rents or other compensation for the use of the facilities of the system acquired, constructed, operated, regulated, or maintained by the district.…

Sec. 172.208. OPERATION OR USE CONTRACTS. (a) A district may: (1) lease all or part of the rail facilities to any operator; or (2) contract for the use or operation of all or part of the rail facilities by any operator. (b) To the maximum extent practicable, the district shall en…

Sec. 172.209. RAIL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS. A district may contract with a county or other political subdivision of this state for the district to provide rail transportation services to an area outside the district on terms to which t…

Sec. 172.210. ABANDONMENT OF RAIL LINE. (a) A district may not abandon a district rail line for which state money has been loaned or granted unless the abandonment is approved by the commission as being consistent with the policies of this chapter. (b) The commission by rule shal…

Sec. 172.211. OTHER POWERS OF COUNTY, DISTRICT, AND NAVIGATION DISTRICT. (a) This section applies only to a county that: (1) is adjacent to a county with a population of four million or more; (2) has a population of 370,000 or more; and (3) has created a district by concurrent or…

Sec. 172.251. FISCAL YEAR. (a) Unless the board changes the fiscal year, the district's fiscal year ends on September 30. (b) The board may not change the fiscal year more than once in a three-year period. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 2.04, eff. A…

Sec. 172.252. ANNUAL BUDGET. (a) Before beginning the operation of rail facilities, the board shall adopt an annual operating budget specifying the district's anticipated revenue and expenses for the remainder of the fiscal year. The district shall adopt an operating budget for e…

Sec. 172.253. GRANTS AND LOANS. A district may accept a grant or loan from the United States, this state and its agencies and political subdivisions, public or private corporations, and any other person. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 2.04, eff. Apr…

Sec. 172.254. DEPOSITORY. (a) The board by resolution shall name one or more banks for the deposit of district funds. (b) District funds are public funds and may be invested in securities permitted by Chapter 2256, Government Code. (c) To the extent district funds are not insured…

Sec. 172.255. APPLICABILITY OF PUBLIC PROPERTY FINANCING LAW; PROHIBITION ON AD VALOREM TAX. A district may use the procedures provided by Chapter 271, Local Government Code, to finance the district's rail facilities, except to the extent of a conflict with this chapter, and exce…

Sec. 172.256. NONNEGOTIABLE PURCHASE MONEY NOTES; BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES. (a) A district may: (1) issue nonnegotiable purchase money notes, payable in installments and secured by the property being acquired or constructed, to acquire or construct rail facilities; or (2) secure t…

Sec. 172.257. TAX EXEMPTION. District property and revenue and the interest on bonds issued by the district are exempt from any tax imposed by this state or a political subdivision of this state. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 2.04, eff. April 1, 20…

Sec. 172.301. REVENUE BONDS. A district, by board resolution, may issue revenue bonds in amounts that the board considers necessary or appropriate for the acquisition, purchase, construction, reconstruction, repair, equipping, improvement, or extension of its rail facilities. Add…

Sec. 172.302. SECURITY FOR PAYMENT OF BONDS. (a) To secure payment of district bonds, the district may: (1) encumber and pledge all or part of the revenue of its rail facilities; and (2) encumber all or part of the property of the rail facilities and everything pertaining to them…

Sec. 172.303. BONDS AS AUTHORIZED INVESTMENTS AND SECURITY FOR DEPOSITS OF PUBLIC FUNDS. (a) District bonds are legal and authorized investments for: (1) a bank; (2) a trust company; (3) a savings and loan association; and (4) an insurance company. (b) The bonds are: (1) eligible…