85R11166 JTS-D     By: Cook H.B. No. 3440       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of a joint interim committee on high-speed   rail development.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS. In this Act:                (1)  "Committee" means the joint interim committee on   high-speed rail development.                (2)  "Department" means the Texas Department of   Transportation.          SECTION 2.  CREATION OF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEE. (a)  The   joint interim committee on high-speed rail development is composed   of:                (1)   three members of the house of representatives   appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and                (2)   three senators appointed by the lieutenant   governor.          (b)  The speaker of the house of representatives and the   lieutenant governor shall make the appointments under Subsection   (a) of this section not later than the 60th day after the effective   date of this Act.          (c)  The lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of   representatives shall each designate a co-chair from among the   joint interim committee members.          (d)  The committee shall convene at the joint call of the   co-chairs.          (e)  The committee has all other powers and duties provided   to a special or select committee by the rules of the senate and   house of representatives, by Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government   Code, and by policies of the senate and house committees on   administration.          SECTION 3.  INTERIM STUDY REGARDING HIGH-SPEED RAIL. The   committee shall:                (1)  evaluate the feasibility of creating a statewide   high-speed rail initiative through a public-private partnership;   and                (2)  work with the department to develop a   comprehensive statewide strategy for the development of high-speed   rail in this state.          SECTION 4.  REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2018, the   committee shall provide to the legislature a written report:                (1)  addressing the feasibility of creating a statewide   high-speed rail initiative through a public-private partnership;   and                (2)  proposing a comprehensive statewide strategy for   the high-speed rail development in this state.          SECTION 5.  ABOLITION OF COMMITTEE. The joint interim   committee created by this Act is abolished and this Act expires   January 1, 2019.          SECTION 6.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect   immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members   elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas   Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for   immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017.