HOUSTON URBAN RAILROAD MODERNIZATION AND RELOCATION ACT (HURMRA)

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Houston Urban Railroad Modernization and Relocation Act” or “HURMRA”.

SECTION 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Freight rail lines crossing the urban areas of Houston, Texas, have contributed to severe traffic congestion, delays for emergency services, noise and air pollution, environmental contamination, and negative impacts on residential communities.
(2) The presence of long freight trains creates recurring safety hazards and divides neighborhoods across racial and economic lines.
(3) Studies have demonstrated increased rates of respiratory and cardiovascular illness in communities adjacent to rail corridors.
(4) Current federal infrastructure funding mechanisms do not adequately support major urban railroad relocation projects.
(5) The City of Houston and surrounding municipalities lack the fiscal capacity to undertake comprehensive rail modernization and rerouting without federal assistance.

SECTION 3. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Authorize federal support for the planning, funding, and execution of the re-routing or underground relocation of existing freight rail lines that currently cross dense urban areas of Houston, Texas;
(2) Promote public health, safety, environmental sustainability, and urban mobility;
(3) Improve the quality of life in impacted communities.

SECTION 4. FEDERAL GRANT AUTHORIZATION.
(a) The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a grant program, to be administered through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), to fund:
(1) Environmental and engineering studies;
(2) Acquisition of property or easements for new rail corridors;
(3) Construction of rerouted freight rail infrastructure or tunneling of existing lines;
(4) Decommissioning and environmental remediation of affected urban segments.
(b) Eligible recipients shall include the City of Houston, Harris County, and public-private rail authorities.

SECTION 5. FUNDING.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations: There is authorized to be appropriated $4 billion for fiscal years 2025 through 2030.
(b) Cost-Sharing: Federal grants under this Act shall cover up to 80% of project costs. State, local, or private matching contributions shall constitute the remaining 20%.

SECTION 6. REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
(a) Annual reports shall be submitted by grant recipients to the Secretary of Transportation and made publicly available.
(b) A final performance and environmental impact review shall be submitted to Congress no later than one year after completion of the project.

SECTION 7. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) “Urban freight rail line” means any railroad line used primarily for freight transport that intersects residential or urban districts within the municipal limits of Houston, Texas.
(2) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation.

SECTION 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect upon enactment.