GENERAL POWERS.

(a) The department may:

(1) plan and make policies for the location, construction, maintenance, and operation of a rail facility or system in this state;

(2) acquire, finance, construct, maintain, and subject to Section 91.005, operate a passenger or freight rail facility, individually or as one or more systems;

(3) for the purpose of acquiring or financing a rail facility or system, accept a grant or loan from a:

(A) department or agency of the United States;

(B) department, agency, or political subdivision of this state; or

(C) public or private person;

(4) contract with a public or private person to finance, construct, maintain, or operate a rail facility under this chapter; or

(5) perform any act necessary to the full exercise of the department's powers under this chapter.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), money appropriated or allocated by the United States for the construction and maintenance in this state of rail facilities owned by any public or private entity shall be administered by the commission and may be spent only under the supervision of the department.

(c) Subsection (b) does not apply to money appropriated or allocated:

(1) to a transit authority described by Chapter 451, a transportation authority described by Chapter 452 or 460, or a transit department described by Chapter 453; or

(2) for use by:

(A) a port authority or navigation district created or operating under Section 52, Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution; or

(B) a district created under:

(i) Chapter 171;

(ii) Chapter 172 of this code or Chapter 623, Acts of the 67th Legislature, Regular Session, 1981 (former Article 6550c, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes);

(iii) Chapter 173 of this code or former Article 6550c-1, Revised Statutes; or

(iv) Chapter 174 of this code or former Article 6550c-3, Revised Statutes.