BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2219 By: Hunter, Todd 04-05-95 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND Texas' economic well-being is directly related to our ability to keep people and goods moving. Texas is one of the leading maritime states in the country with three of the top ten ports in the nation. Inland and deepwater shipping are crucial links in the state's total transportation system. About 178,000 jobs are related to water transportation and that area comprises 17 percent of the Texas Gross State Product. Over 15 percent of the total United States waterborne tonnage comes from or through Texas. As waterborne transportation increases, so do the demands for infrastructure development, more efficient landslide connections, and safe operations on the waterways. Current law, (Chapter 88, Education Code) does not provide for proper technological improvements of Texas ports. PURPOSE To support the state's role in the waterway and port system, a comprehensive research and development and planning process needs to be established. The proposed Center for Ports and Waterways established by this legislation will provide a source of water transportation expertise, will serve as a catalyst for improved transportation productivity and economic growth, will enhance efforts to protect the environment, and will strengthen the Texas maritime industry's international competitiveness. The center will also provide information and research on port operations, environmental issues, international trade, and ship channels by working with Army Corps of Engineers. The center will become part of the Texas Transportation Institute, and is a partnership of several universities in the state, the private sector, and state government. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1: Amends Education Code, Chapter 88 as follows: Section 88.600 is added which (1)defines center as that of Ports and Waterways; and (2)defines consortium as Lamar University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University-Galveston, the University of Texas-Brownsville, Texas A&M University, the Texas Transportation Institute and the Center for Transportation Research at the University of Texas at Austin. This section also (3)defines director as that of the Center of Ports and Waterways. Section 88.601 is added to indicate that the Center for Ports and Waterways is a component of the Texas Transportation Institute, which is part of Texas A&M University. Section 88.602 is added which states that the purpose of the Center is to carry out a program of research, education and technology transfer. Section 88.603 is added to outline the various aspects of the Center's programs, including (1)the development of new technologies, (2)aiding transportation planners on future needs, (3)studying policy issues and helping the state understand marine and intermodal transportation, (4)research on the maritime/marine industry, (5)increasing public awareness of the necessity of ports and waterways, (6)transferring information and knowledge to governmental entities, industry, and the public, (7)establishing programs to implement new policies, (8)researching environmental issues associated with water transport, and (9)any other services consistent with the purpose of the Center. Section 88.604 is added to indicate that the Center is under the supervision of a director who is under the supervision of the director of the Texas Transportation Institute. Section 88.605 is added to indicate that the Center will have a steering committee which is composed of representatives from the consortium members. Section 88.606 is added to create the nine-member Maritime/Marine Industry Council. The membership of the council includes (1)the President or his representative of the Texas Waterways Operators, (2)the President or a representative of the Texas Ports Association (TPA), (3)four representatives from Texas Ports as recommended by TPA, (4)three representatives from the barge industry, (5)director of the center is a ex-officio member, and (5)a representative from TxDOT. Sections 88.607, 88.608, 88.609 are added to indicate that the Center is authorized to receive state appropriations. grants, and contracts. SECTION 2: Emergency Clause and Effective Date of September 1, 1995. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS Committee Amendment #1 to H.B. 2219 would amend page 3, line 1 to read as follows: (3) Four members shall be representatives from Texas ports to be recommended selected by the membership of the Texas Ports Association. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION Pursuant to a public notice posted on March 30, 1995 at 6:02 p.m., the House Committee on Transportation met in a public hearing on Wednesday, April 5, 1995 at 2:00 p.m. or upon adjournment, in room E1.014 of the Capitol Extension and was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by the Chair, Representative Clyde Alexander after the House recessed. The Chair laid out H.B. 2219 and recognized Representative Hunter, T. to explain H.B. 2219. Representative Uher laid out Committee amendment #1, and without objection Committee amendment #1 was adopted. The Chair recognized the following persons who testified in support of H.B. 2219. Dr. Herbert Richardson, Texas Transportation Institute. Col. (Ret.) John Basilotto, Texas Transportation Institute. Rick Maldonado, Port of Corpus Christi Authority. Suzanne B. Kean, Texas Waterway Operators Association. Representative Siebert moved that the Committee report H.B. 2219, as amended, to the full House with the recommendation that it do pass. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes (5), Nayes (0), Absent (4), Present not voting (0).