By Cuellar                                            H.C.R. No. 35

         75R3954 PFG-D                           

                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, The success of the Texas shipping industry depends

 1-2     on efficient transportation systems for the prompt delivery of

 1-3     goods, yet state government has lagged behind the private sector in

 1-4     the development of  promising technologies that have enormous

 1-5     potential to improve existing systems; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, Urban growth and increased traffic as a result of

 1-7     the North American Free Trade Agreement have strained the capacity

 1-8     of our state highway system, and have led to transportation delays

 1-9     that hinder the development of international trade, drive up the

1-10     price of consumer goods, and cost businesses $40 billion annually;

1-11     and

1-12           WHEREAS, New technologies, such as the use of transponders in

1-13     the trucking industry to electronically verify weights and permits,

1-14     have streamlined transportation flows and improved overall traffic

1-15     safety and efficiency; and

1-16           WHEREAS, According to the Texas comptroller's performance

1-17     review of Texas state government, Disturbing the Peace, successful

1-18     partnerships between state and local government and the private

1-19     sector have spurred the development of transportation technology in

1-20     Texas and other states, and are essential in an era of federal

1-21     budget cuts that limit the state's ability to meet existing

1-22     transportation demands; and

1-23           WHEREAS, Texas ranks among the nation's leaders in economic

1-24     growth and international trade, and the enhancement of our state's

 2-1     transportation infrastructure should be a top priority with

 2-2     government officials, transportation planners, and business

 2-3     leaders; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, The responsibility for our state's transportation

 2-5     infrastructure resides with the Texas Department of Transportation

 2-6     and, as such, the department plays a pivotal role in the formation

 2-7     of public and private partnerships and the prudent investment of

 2-8     state transportation funds; now, therefore, be it

 2-9           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

2-10     hereby encourage the Texas Department of Transportation to build

2-11     partnerships with the Texas Department of Public Safety, federal

2-12     and local governments, private sector organizations, and other

2-13     states to strategically apply technological advancements to our

2-14     state's transportation infrastructure; and, be it further

2-15           RESOLVED, That the department ensure, where possible, that

2-16     intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and automated vehicle

2-17     regulation are compatible with advancements in private sector

2-18     logistics; and, be it further

2-19           RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official

2-20     copy of this resolution to the commissioner of the Texas Department

2-21     of Transportation.