1-1 By: Patterson S.B. No. 1223
1-2 (In the Senate - Filed March 10, 1995; March 16, 1995, read
1-3 first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources;
1-4 April 12, 1995, reported favorably, as amended, by the following
1-5 vote: Yeas 10, Nays 0; April 12, 1995, sent to printer.)
1-6 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT NO. 1 By: Truan
1-7 Amend S.B. No. 1223 as follows:
1-8 (1) On page 3, line 1 (committee printing page 2, line 18),
1-9 between "be" and "by", strike "recommended" and substitute
1-10 "selected".
1-11 (2) On page 3, line 7 (committee printing page 2, line 27),
1-12 add new Subsection (7) as follows:
1-13 "(7) Two registered professional engineers having
1-14 relevant marine experience shall be ex officio members."
1-15 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-16 AN ACT
1-17 relating to establishing the Center for Ports and Waterways.
1-18 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-19 SECTION 1. Chapter 88, Education Code, is amended by adding
1-20 Subchapter G to read as follows:
1-21 SUBCHAPTER G. CENTER FOR PORTS AND WATERWAYS
1-22 Sec. 88.601. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
1-23 (1) "Center" means the Center for Ports and Waterways.
1-24 (2) "Consortium" means Lamar University, Texas A&M
1-25 University--Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University at Galveston, The
1-26 University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas A&M University, Texas
1-27 Transportation Institute, and the Center for Transportation
1-28 Research at The University of Texas at Austin.
1-29 (3) "Director" means the director of the Center for
1-30 Ports and Waterways.
1-31 Sec. 88.602. ESTABLISHMENT. The Center for Ports and
1-32 Waterways is established as a component of the Texas Transportation
1-33 Institute, a component of The Texas A&M University System. The
1-34 operating budget, staffing, and activities of the center shall be
1-35 approved by the board of regents of The Texas A&M University
1-36 System.
1-37 Sec. 88.603. PURPOSE. The center shall carry out a program
1-38 of research, education, and technology transfer to support the
1-39 state's role in the inland waterway and port system in Texas.
1-40 Sec. 88.604. PROGRAM. The program of the center shall be
1-41 authorized to include:
1-42 (1) the development and testing of new marine and
1-43 maritime technologies and supporting their implementation;
1-44 (2) aiding transportation planners to better prepare
1-45 for future inland and coastal waterway transportation needs;
1-46 (3) studying complex policy issues and assisting the
1-47 state in defining roles of marine and intermodal transportation for
1-48 sustainable development;
1-49 (4) conducting research and studies that foster
1-50 productivity and competitiveness in the maritime/marine industry;
1-51 (5) fostering public awareness of the importance of
1-52 ports and waterways to the economy of Texas;
1-53 (6) transferring knowledge and technology to industry,
1-54 state and local governments, and the public;
1-55 (7) establishing programs and partnerships with public
1-56 or private entities to develop and implement new policies,
1-57 technology, strategies, relationships, and sources of funding;
1-58 (8) studying environmental conflicts, complements, and
1-59 risks associated with water transportation; and
1-60 (9) other services consistent with the purpose of the
1-61 program.
1-62 Sec. 88.605. DIRECTOR. The center is under the supervision
1-63 and direction of the director and shall be operated and managed as
1-64 a joint program between the consortium. The director of the center
1-65 is under the supervision and direction of the Director of the Texas
1-66 Transportation Institute.
1-67 Sec. 88.606. STEERING COMMITTEE. (a) The steering
1-68 committee is appointed by the Director of the Texas Transportation
2-1 Institute and shall include a representative of each member of the
2-2 consortium and others. The president or the director of each
2-3 consortium member shall recommend an individual to serve as a
2-4 member of the steering committee.
2-5 (b) The steering committee is established to advise and make
2-6 recommendations to the director on the operations and activities of
2-7 the center.
2-8 Sec. 88.607. MARITIME/MARINE INDUSTRY COUNCIL. (a) The
2-9 Maritime/Marine Industry Council is composed of at least nine
2-10 persons appointed by the Director of the Texas Transportation
2-11 Institute with at least the following representation:
2-12 (1) one member shall be the President of the Texas
2-13 Waterway Operators or the president's designated representative;
2-14 (2) one member shall be the President of the Texas
2-15 Ports Association or the president's designated representative;
2-16 (3) four members shall be representatives from Texas
2-17 ports to be recommended by the membership of the Texas Ports
2-18 Association;
2-19 (4) three members shall be representatives from the
2-20 barge industry;
2-21 (5) the director of the center shall be an ex officio
2-22 member; and
2-23 (6) a representative from the Texas Department of
2-24 Transportation designated by the Texas Department of Transportation
2-25 shall be an ex officio member.
2-26 (b) The Maritime/Marine Industry Council shall make program
2-27 priority recommendations to the director and serve as a resource
2-28 group for the center.
2-29 Sec. 88.608. FUNDING. The center is authorized to receive
2-30 state appropriated funds as deemed appropriate by the legislature.
2-31 Sec. 88.609. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The center shall seek and
2-32 may receive gifts and grants from federal sources, foundations,
2-33 individuals, and other sources for the benefit of the center.
2-34 Sec. 88.610. CONTRACTS. The center is authorized to enter
2-35 into interagency contracts and agreements and to contract with
2-36 local, state, county, federal, and private sources for work under
2-37 the center's programs.
2-38 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the
2-39 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-40 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-41 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-42 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
2-43 * * * * *