S.B. No. 1474

AN ACT

relating to the I-27 Advisory Committee.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 201.623 to read as follows:

Sec. 201.623. I-27 ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) In this section:

(1) "Advisory committee" means the I-27 Advisory Committee established under this section.

(2) "Feasibility study" means the study on the Ports-to-Plains Corridor conducted by the department as required by Chapter 756 (H.B. 1079), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019.

(3) "Ports-to-Plains Corridor" means the highways designated as the Ports-to-Plains Corridor under Section 225.069.

(b) The I-27 Advisory Committee is established to:

(1) provide the department with information on concerns and interests along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor; and

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

(c) The advisory committee is composed of:

(1) 10 members, one of whom represents each of the following 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:

(A) Dallam County;

(B) Howard County;

(C) Lubbock County;

(D) Midland County;

(E) Moore County;

(F) Potter County;

(G) Sherman County;

(H) Tom Green County;

(I) Val Verde County; and

(J) Webb County;

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

(A) Amarillo;

(B) Big Spring;

(C) Del Rio;

(D) Laredo;

(E) Lubbock;

(F) Midland; and

(G) San Angelo;

(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) The members of the advisory committee described by Subsection (c)(2) shall appoint the members of the advisory committee described by Subsections (c)(3), (4), (5), and (6) by majority vote.

(e) An advisory committee member serves until the member:

(1) ceases to hold the underlying position that qualifies the member for service on the committee; or

(2) resigns.

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

(g) The advisory committee shall elect by majority vote of the committee:

(1) a chair to serve as the committee's presiding officer; and

(2) a vice-chair to serve as the committee's presiding officer in the absence of the chair.

(h) The advisory committee shall meet at least twice each state fiscal year and at such other times as requested by the department or the chair. The advisory committee may meet remotely or by teleconference as determined by the chair or the department.

(i) 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) The commission may adopt rules to govern the operations of the committee that are consistent with existing commission rules and do not conflict with this section.

(k) All advisory committee meetings, whether remote or in person, must be open to the public.

(l) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the advisory committee.

SECTION 2. (a) The members of the I-27 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, shall make the appointments required by that section not later than October 1, 2021.

(b) The I-27 Advisory Committee established under Section 201.623, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, shall meet on or before the 30th day after the completion of appointments under Subsection (a) of this section.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1474 passed the Senate on April 23, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1474 passed the House on May 18, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 121, Nays 16, two present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

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Governor