March 16, 2025 - TRA Austin -

Bill filing for the 89th Legislature is now history. There were a flurry of bills that could affect both freight and passenger rail in Texas and we're going to run them down for you. 

• Representative Cole Hefner, (R)Mt. Pleasant, filed HB 4662 that would create a state grant program for short line railroads
• Representative Gina Hinojosa, (D) Austin, filed HB 5413 that would designate a "metropolitan lane" that MPO's could designate for passenger rail
•  Representative Senfronia Thompson, (D) Houston, filed HB3720 which would require TxDOT to construct bridges at two locations in Harris County that would separate highways and railroads in a highly congested urban area

Texas Rail Advocates supports all three of the bills shown above.

You can access ALL rail bills followed in the 89th Legislature on our Under The Dome page: https://www.texasrailadvocates.org/issues/2025-texas-legislature-rail-issues

89(R) House Bill 4662 - Cole Hefner

Short Line Railroad Grant Program

There are over 50 short line railroads in Texas, most operate with under 40 miles of track. Short-line railroads play a critical role in connecting local industries to larger rail networks, providing essential first and last-mile services. If passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Abbott, this would create, for the first time, a grant program for Class II and Class III short line railroads in Texas.  Grants could be used for track or bridge replacement, rail capacity improvements, or rail restoration. State funds could be used as matching funds to secure federal rail grants but at least 10 percent of matching funds must come from non-state sources. The Texas Transportation Commission would be required to approve any grant. 

89(R) House Bill 5413 - Gina Hinojosa

Creating a "Metropolitan Lane" that could be used for passenger rail

This bill would allow Metropolitan Planning Organizations to designate up to 10 percent of the lane miles within their boundary as Metropolitan Lanes. The MPO would have jurisdiction of the lane and could designate it as a transit priority lane, high occupancy vehicle lane, or for public transportation including rail or high-speed rail. 

89(R) House Bill 3720 - Senfronia Thompson

Directing TxDOT to construct two projects in Harris County to grade-separate highways from railroads

The two highway-rail separation projects would be 1) a bridge crossing railroad tracks at Little York Road and Hirsch Road and 2) a bridge crossing railroad tracks at Tidwell Road and Hirsch Road, both in Harris County. That part of Harris County has been long plagued with traffic congestion when trains slow or stop.