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).