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 * * * * *