Relating to a prohibition on the exercise of eminent domain and the disposition of certain property acquired for certain rail projects.

HB 2979 prohibits private entities from using eminent domain to acquire land for high-speed rail projects. It requires that if a high-speed rail project is canceled, unused for 10 years, or no longer needs the land, original landowners (or their heirs) can repurchase the property at the price they originally sold it for. The law applies specifically to property acquired under Texas Transportation Code definitions of "high-speed rail" and directly affects landowners near proposed rail lines and private rail developers. It creates a clear repurchase right for affected property owners while restricting eminent domain use for private rail projects.