Tex. Transp. Code Section 172.003
Findings


The legislature finds that:

(1)

the state contains many rural areas that are heavily dependent on agriculture for economic survival;

(2)

transportation of agricultural and industrial products is essential to the continued economic vitality of rural areas;

(3)

the rail transportation systems in some rural areas are threatened by railroad bankruptcies and abandonment proceedings that would cause the cessation of rail services to the areas;

(4)

it is in the interest of all citizens of the state that existing rail systems be maintained for the most efficient and economical movement of essential agricultural products from the areas of production to the local, national, and export markets;

(5)

rural rail transportation districts are appropriate political subdivisions to provide for the continued operation of railroads, which are declared by Section 2, Article X, Texas Constitution, to be public highways;

(6)

the creation, re-creation, financing, maintenance, and operation of rural rail transportation districts and facilities acquired by the districts under this chapter will help develop, maintain, and diversify the economy of the state, eliminate unemployment or underemployment, foster the growth of enterprises based on agriculture, and serve to develop and expand transportation and commerce within the state under the authority granted by Section 52-a, Article III, Texas Constitution; and

(7)

financing by rural rail transportation districts for the purposes provided by this chapter is a lawful and valid public purpose.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 2.04, eff. April 1, 2011.

Source: Section 172.003 — Findings, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.­172.­htm#172.­003 (accessed May 4, 2024).

172.001
Definitions
172.002
Nature of District
172.003
Findings
172.051
Applicability
172.052
Creation of District by More than One County
172.053
Creation of District by One County
172.054
Notice of Creation
172.055
Automatic Assumption of Contractual Obligations After Creation by Certain Districts
172.101
Control of District
172.102
Terms
172.103
Qualifications for Office
172.104
Vacancy
172.105
Removal
172.106
Officers
172.107
Meetings
172.108
Rules for Proceedings
172.109
Employees
172.110
Pecuniary Interest in Certain Contracts Prohibited
172.151
General Powers of District
172.152
Rules
172.153
Agreements Generally
172.154
Agreements with Other Entities for Joint Use
172.155
Joint Ownership Agreements
172.156
Awarding Construction or Purchase Contracts
172.157
Eminent Domain
172.158
Disposition of Surplus Property
172.159
Suits
172.160
Perpetual Succession
172.201
General Authority over Rail Facilities
172.202
Use and Alteration of Property of Another Political Subdivision
172.203
Rules Governing System
172.204
Acquisition of Property
172.205
Powers Relating to District Property
172.206
Acquisition of Rolling Stock and Other Property
172.207
Compensation for Use of System Facilities
172.208
Operation or Use Contracts
172.209
Rail Transportation Services Agreements with Other Political Subdivisions
172.210
Abandonment of Rail Line
172.211
Other Powers of County, District, and Navigation District
172.251
Fiscal Year
172.252
Annual Budget
172.253
Grants and Loans
172.254
Depository
172.255
Applicability of Public Property Financing Law
172.256
Nonnegotiable Purchase Money Notes
172.257
Tax Exemption
172.301
Revenue Bonds
172.302
Security for Payment of Bonds
172.303
Bonds as Authorized Investments and Security for Deposits of Public Funds
172.304
Applicability of Public Improvement Financing Law
172.305
Limit on Power
172.306
Exemption from Review of Notes by Attorney General
172.1571
Restoration of Certain Expired Eminent Domain Authority

Accessed:
May 4, 2024

§ 172.003’s source at texas​.gov