BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

C.S.S.B. 1474

87R17526 SRA-D

By: Perry

 

Transportation

 

4/14/2021

 

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Background:

 

The passage of H.B. 1079 during the 86th Legislature directed the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to form a Ports-to-Plains Advisory Committee. The bill required TxDOT to conduct a study of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor and to evaluate the feasibility of costs and logistical matters associated with certain improvements that would extend Interstate Highway 27. The bill required TxDOT to submit a report on the results of the Ports-to-Plains corridor study. The study was completed and delivered to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the presiding officer of each standing committee of the legislature with jurisdiction over transportation matters in October of 2020.

 

The advisory committee made recommendations at the end of the study for TxDOT to establish an I-27 Corridor Advisory Committee. The I-27 Corridor Advisory Committee would be charged with providing advice and guidance to TxDOT on the implementation priorities of the interstate feasibility study project recommendations to upgrade the corridor to an interstate facility and the interstate designation of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor in Texas. The committee would also be responsible for engaging national, state, regional and local stakeholders on I-27 extension status and project development.

 

S.B. 1474 amends Subchapter H, Chapter 201, of the Transportation Code by adding Section 201.623 to create the I-27 Advisory Committee.

 

Bill Summary:

 

S.B. 1474 as proposed creates the I-27 Advisory Committee. The advisory committee once established would provide the department with an enhanced understanding of public, business, and private concerns relating to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. Facilitate the department's communications and project development objectives relating to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. Encourage greater cooperation between the department and affected parties during the planning and development of projects relating to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor.

 

(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

 

C.S.S.B. 1474 amends current law relating to the I-27 Advisory Committee.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Transportation Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 201.623, Transportation Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, by adding Section 201.623, as follows:

 

Sec. 201.623.� I-27 ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) Defines "advisory committee," "feasibility study," and "Ports-to-Plains Corridor."

 

(b) Provides that the I-27 Advisory Committee (advisory committee) is established to:

 

(1)� provide the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) with information on concerns and interests along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor; and

 

(2)� advise TxDOT on transportation improvements impacting the Ports-to-Plains Corridor.

 

(c) Provides that the advisory committee is composed of:

 

(1) 10 members, one of whom represents each of certain counties and is the county judge of the county or an elected county official or the administrator of the county road department designated by the county judge of the county;

 

(2) seven members, one of whom represents each of certain municipalities and is the mayor of the municipality or the city manager or an assistant city manager designated by the mayor of the municipality;

 

(3) three members who are economic development professionals, to be selected based on geographic segments that were established for the feasibility study;

 

(4) one member who is a business representative from the agriculture industry;

 

(5) one member who is a business representative from the international trade industry; and

 

(6) one member who is a business representative from the energy industry.

 

(d)� Requires the members of the advisory committee described by Subsection (c)(2) to appoint the members of the advisory committee described by Subsections (c)(3), (4), (5), and (6) by majority vote.

 

(e) Provides that an advisory committee member serves until the member ceases to hold the underlying position that qualifies the member for service on the committee or resigns.

 

(f)� Provides that a vacancy on the advisory committee is filled:

 

(1)� for a vacancy for a position qualified under Subsection (c)(1) or (2), by the person holding the elected position vacated by the former member or another person designated by the person holding the elected position vacated by the former member, in accordance with Subsection (c)(1) or (2), as applicable; and

 

(2)� for any a vacancy for a position described by Subsections (c)(3), (4), (5), or (6), by majority vote of the advisory committee members described by Subsection (c)(2).

 

(g) Requires the advisory committee to elect by majority vote of the committee a chair to serve as the committee's presiding officer and a vice-chair to serve as the committee's presiding officer in the absence of the chair.

 

(h) Requires the advisory committee to meet at least twice each state fiscal year and at such other times as requested by the TxDOT or the chair. Authorizes the advisory committee to meet remotely or by teleconference as determined by the chair or TxDOT.

 

(i) Provides that an advisory committee member is not entitled to receive compensation for service on the committee or reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of official duties as a member of the committee.

 

(j) Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) to adopt rules to govern the operations of the advisory committee that are consistent with existing TTC rules and do not conflict with this section.

 

(k) Requires that all advisory committee meetings, whether remote or in person, be open to the public.

 

(l) Provides that Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees), Government Code, does not apply to the advisory committee.

 

SECTION 2. (a) Requires the members of the advisory committee established under Section 201.623, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, described by Section 201.623(c)(2), Transportation Code, as added by this Act, to make the appointments required by that section not later than October 1, 2021.

 

(b) Requires the advisory committee established under Section 201.623, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, to meet on or before the 30th day after the completion of appointments under Subsection (a) of this section.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.