BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1474

By: Perry

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The passage of H.B. 1079 by the 86th Legislature directed the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to form a Ports-to-Plains advisory committee and required TxDOT to conduct a study of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor and evaluate the feasibility of costs and logistical matters associated with certain improvements that would extend Interstate Highway 27. The bill also required TxDOT to submit a report on the results of the Ports‑to‑Plains Corridor study, which included a recommendation for TxDOT to establish an I-27 advisory committee. S.B. 1474 provides for the establishment of the I-27 Advisory Committee.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Transportation Commission in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1474 amends the Transportation Code to establish the I-27 Advisory Committee to provide the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) with information on concerns and interests along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor and to advise TxDOT on transportation improvements impacting the corridor. The bill sets out the composition of the committee, which consists of specified representatives of certain counties and cities and certain economic development professionals and business representatives, and provides for duration of committee service, election of a committee chair and vice-chair, the filling of a committee vacancy, and committee meetings. Members are not entitled to receive compensation for committee service or reimbursement for related expenses. The bill provides for the appointment of certain committee members not later than October 1, 2021, and requires the committee to meet on or before the 30th day after the completion of the appointments.

S.B. 1474 authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission to adopt rules to govern the operations of the committee that are consistent with existing commission rules and do not conflict with the bill's provisions. The committee is exempt from statutory provisions governing state agency advisory committees.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.