AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the 89th regular legislative session underway in the Texas Legislature, lawmakers will consider a handful of bills that could impact transportation operations here in the Lone Star State. Here's a roundup of the bills KXAN will be tracking in the transportation sphere. Capping the maximum length of trains House Bill 1564, filed by State Rep. Ana Hernandez on Dec. 10, proposes limits on how long trains can be while operating in Texas. The bill stipulates a railroad company wouldn't be able to operate or permit a train that is 8,500 feet or longer in length. If adopted, the law would take effect Sept. 1, 2025. Bills advocating for, against state funding for high-speed rail State Rep. John Bucy III filed Nov. 12 House Bill 483, which calls for the Texas Department of Transportation to enter into a development agreement with a private entity "to construct, maintain, and operate high-speed rail connecting Dallas to Austin to San Antonio along the Interstate Highway 35 corridor." The bill defines "high-speed rail" as an intercity transit service reaching speeds of a minimum 110 miles per hour. State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt filed the supplementary Senate Bill 424 in the Senate chambers Nov. 21, which outlines the same stipulations as Bucy's bill. Calls for high-speed rail in Texas have extended beyond the confines of the State Capitol. Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai launched a coalition last year to champion plans supporting expanded rail funding as part of the 89th legislative session. The two created the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee and discussed in September how better rail offerings could enhance economic vitality and mobility along the I-35 corridor. PAST COVERAGE: Texas lawmakers envision high-speed rail along I-35 corridor in latest bill filings If the Legislature passes this proposal, it would become law and take effect on Sept. 1, 2025. On the other side of the aisle, lawmakers are proposing a prohibition of public funds for high-speed rail construction in Texas. State Rep. Cody Harris filed House Bill 1402 on Nov. 19 which, if passed, would prohibit allocated funds "to pay for the alteration of a roadway related to the construction of a high-speed rail project operated by a public or private entity." The legislation also defined "public money" as money of the state of Texas, a state agency or a political subdivision of the state. It also similarly defined "high-speed rail" as intercity transit service that reached at least 110 miles per hour. If the bill becomes law, it would take effect Sept. 1, 2025. Authorizing State Highway Fund dollars for transit-oriented projects Bucy also filed on Nov. 12 House Bill 58, legislation proposing an amendment to the State Highway Fund to permit funding for transit-oriented development projects in Texas. The proposal would amend Article VIII of the Texas Constitution to incorporate the construction and maintenance of transit-oriented projects as a permitted use of revenues made off motor vehicle registration fees and motor fuels' taxes. Because the legislation proposes a constitutional amendment, it would — if passed — go before voters as part of the Nov. 4, 2025 election. "The amendments to Section 7-a, Article VIII, of this constitution apply only in connection with a state fiscal biennium that begins on or after September 1, 2027. This temporary provision expires September 2, 2027," documents read. Amending the Texas Tax Code, Texas Transportation Code to clarify State Highway Fund uses Bucy's House Bill 542, filed Nov. 12, would clarify and update language in the Texas Constitution. Existing language limits the use of the State Highway Fund to construction and maintenance work on Texas' road system; that would update to allow the funding be used for the state highway system, transit-oriented projects or minimizing environmental impacts from construction or maintenance work. The bill's enactment would depend on voter approval of a constitutional amendment, detailed above. Should it go before voters and be approved, it would take effect Sept. 1, 2027. Limiting the use of eminent domain for high-speed rail development, operations State Rep. Brian Harrison filed House Bill 663 on Nov. 12 as a proposed limitation on a private entity's ability to enact eminent domain "for the purpose of developing or operating high-speed rail." The bill aims to clarify the legal framework and language related to these kinds of transit projects in Texas. If passed, it would take effect on Sept. 1, 2025.