Sec. 313.045. ASSESSMENT OR TAX ON RAILWAYS FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS. (a) The governing body of a municipality may assess against a railway that uses, occupies, or crosses a highway the cost of a highway improvement in the area between, under, or in the area extending two feet outside of the railway's rails, tracks, double tracks, turn outs, or switches.

(b) The governing body by ordinance may impose a special tax on the railway and its roadbed, ties, rails, fixtures, rights, and franchises.

(c) The tax imposed under Subsection (b) is a lien on the railway and its roadbed, ties, rails, fixtures, rights, and franchises that is superior to any other lien or claim except county or municipal ad valorem taxes.

(d) A tax lien imposed under Subsection (c) may be enforced by:

(1) sale of the property in the manner provided by law for the collection of ad valorem taxes by the municipality; or

(2) suit.

(e) The ordinance imposing the special tax must prescribe the terms of payment of the tax.

(f) The rate of interest may not exceed the greater of:

(1) eight percent a year; or

(2) the rate payable by the municipality on its most recently issued general obligation bonds, determined as of the date of the notice provided by Section 313.047.

(g) If the special tax imposed under Subsection (b) is not paid when due, the municipality may collect the tax, interest, expenses of collection, and reasonable attorney's fees, if incurred.

(h) The governing body may issue assignable certificates in evidence of an assessment as provided by Section 313.052.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.