(Houston, TX) — Questions persist as to whether the private company planning a high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas has the power of eminent domain.

Texas Central Partners says it has right to use eminent domain under state law, and so far, a Harris County judge has agreed.  A company executive says they’d rather work out amicable deals to buy the land needed to build the 240-mile bullet train across ten counties.  Apparently, no state agency exists that is charged with determining whether the use of eminent domain is warranted.