By: Patterson S.B. No. 1223 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT 1-1 relating to establishing the Center for Ports and Waterways. 1-2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-3 SECTION 1. Chapter 88, Education Code, is amended by adding 1-4 Subchapter G to read as follows: 1-5 SUBCHAPTER G. CENTER FOR PORTS AND WATERWAYS 1-6 Sec. 88.600 Definitions 1-7 In this subchapter: 1-8 (1) "Center" means Center for Ports and Waterways. 1-9 (2) "Consortium" means Lamar University, Texas A&M 1-10 University - Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University - Galveston 1-11 Campus, University of Texas - Brownsville, Texas A&M University, 1-12 Texas Transportation Institute, and the Center for Transportation 1-13 Research at the University of Texas - Austin. 1-14 (3) "Director" means Director of the Center for Ports 1-15 and Waterways. 1-16 Sec. 88.601 Establishment. 1-17 The Center for Ports and Waterways is established as a 1-18 component of the Texas Transportation Institute, a component of the 1-19 Texas A&M University System. The operating budget, staffing and 1-20 activities of the Center shall be approved by the board of regents 1-21 of The Texas A&M University System. 1-22 Sec. 88.602 Purpose. 1-23 The Center shall carry out a program of research, education 2-1 and technology transfer to support the State's role in the inland 2-2 waterway and port system in Texas. 2-3 Sec. 88.603 Program. 2-4 The program of the center shall be authorized to include: 2-5 (1) the development and testing of new marine/maritime 2-6 technologies and supporting their implementation; 2-7 (2) aiding transportation planners to better prepare 2-8 for future inland and coastal waterway transportation needs; 2-9 (3) studying complex policy issues and assisting the 2-10 state in defining roles of marine and intermodal transportation for 2-11 sustainable development; 2-12 (4) conducting research and studies that foster 2-13 productivity and competitiveness in the maritime/marine industry; 2-14 (5) fostering public awareness of the importance of 2-15 ports and waterways to the economy of Texas; 2-16 (6) transferring knowledge and technology to industry, 2-17 state and local governments and the public; 2-18 (7) establishing programs and partnerships with public 2-19 or private entities to develop and implement new policies, 2-20 technology, strategies, relationships and sources of funding; 2-21 (8) studying environmental conflicts, complements and 2-22 risks associated with water transportation; and 2-23 (9) other services consistent with the purpose of the 2-24 program. 2-25 Sec. 88.604 Director. 3-1 The Center is under the supervision and direction of the 3-2 Director and shall be operated and managed as a joint program 3-3 between the consortium. The Director of the Center is under the 3-4 supervision and direction of the Director of the Texas 3-5 Transportation Institute. 3-6 Sec. 88.605 Steering Committee. 3-7 (a) The steering committee is appointed by the Director of 3-8 the Texas Transportation Institute and shall include a 3-9 representative of each member of the consortium and others. The 3-10 President or the Director of each consortium member shall recommend 3-11 an individual to serve as a member of the steering committee. 3-12 (b) The steering committee is established to advise and make 3-13 recommendations to the Director on the operations and activities of 3-14 the Center. 3-15 Sec. 88.606 Maritime/Marine Industry Council. 3-16 The Maritime/Marine Industry Council is composed of at least 3-17 nine persons appointed by the Director of the Texas Transportation 3-18 Institute with at least the following representation: 3-19 (1) One member shall be the President of the Texas 3-20 Waterway Operators, or the President's designated representative. 3-21 (2) One member shall be the President of the Texas 3-22 Ports Association, or the President's designated representative. 3-23 (3) Four members shall be representatives from Texas 3-24 ports to be recommended by the membership of the Texas Ports 3-25 Association. 4-1 (4) Three members shall be representatives from the 4-2 barge industry. 4-3 (5) The director of the Center shall be an ex-officio 4-4 member. 4-5 (6) A representative from the Texas Department of 4-6 Transportation designated by the Texas Department of Transportation 4-7 shall be an ex-officio member. 4-8 The Maritime/Marine Industry Council shall make program 4-9 priority recommendations to the Director and serve as a resource 4-10 group to the Center. 4-11 Sec. 88.607 Funding. 4-12 The Center is authorized to receive state appropriated funds 4-13 as deemed appropriate by the legislature. 4-14 Sec. 88.608 Gifts and Grants. 4-15 The Center shall seek and may receive gifts and grants from 4-16 federal sources foundations, individuals, and other sources for the 4-17 benefit of the Center. 4-18 Sec. 88.609 Contracts. 4-19 The Center is authorized to enter into interagency contracts 4-20 and agreements and to contract with local, state, county, federal 4-21 and private sources for work under the Center's programs. 4-22 SECTION 2. EMERGENCY. The importance of this legislation 4-23 and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 4-24 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 4-25 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on the three several 5-1 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.