Austin — Wednesday, state Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) joined with other members of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee to remove authorization for the Trans Texas Corridor.

"House Bill 300 not only helps add accountability, transparency and responsiveness to the Texas Department of Transportation, but it also removes the body of law permitting the department to build the Trans Texas Corridor," said Nichols.

The committee unanimously approved H.B. 300, also known as the TxDOT sunset bill. The bill has already passed the House and could be voted on by the full Senate as early as Saturday.

"Last year the Texas Department of Transportation announced it would not continue with plans for the Trans Texas Corridor, but H.B. 300 actually makes it law," said Nichols. "There are no loopholes, exceptions or shades of gray. Under H.B. 300, the Trans Texas Corridor cannot be built."

Under Texas law, each state agency undergoes the sunset process every dozen years. The process requires legislators to evaluate the agency in order to improve effectiveness. Under H. B. 300, TxDOT would undergo another sunset review in 4 years.

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