This section defines “railroad” and “municipality,” and says certain railroad-related functions by municipalities or public agencies are public and governmental functions.
Sec. 199.002. RAILROAD FUNCTIONS AS PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS. (a) In this section: (1) "Railroad" means an enterprise created and operated to carry passengers, freight, or both on a fixed track. The term includes all real estate and interests in real estate, equipment, machinery, materials, structures, buildings, stations, facilities, and other improvements that are necessary to, or for the benefit of, the enterprise. (2) "Municipality" means a home-rule municipality. (b) The planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction, enlarging, improvement, maintenance, equipping, operation, regulation, protection, policing, leasing, and alienation of a railroad or railroad facility by a municipality or other public agency, separately or jointly exercised: (1) are declared to be public and governmental functions that are exercised for a public purpose and matters of public necessity; and (2) in the case of a municipality, are declared to be municipal functions and purposes as well as public and governmental. (c) All land and other property and privileges acquired and used by or on behalf of a municipality or other public agency for railroad purposes: (1) are declared to be acquired for public and governmental purposes and as a matter of public necessity; and (2) in the case of a municipality, are declared to be acquired for a municipal purpose. (d) This section does not confer or convey governmental immunity or any other limitation of liability to any entity that is not a governmental entity, governmental authority, or public agency, or a subdivision of a governmental entity, governmental authority, or public agency. Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1236 (S.B. 1296), Sec. 19.007(a), eff. September 1, 2015.