1-1           By:  Armbrister                                 S.C.R. No. 25

 1-2           (In the Senate - Filed February 12, 1997; February 18, 1997,

 1-3     read first time and referred to Committee on International

 1-4     Relations, Trade, and Technology; March 6, 1997, reported favorably

 1-5     by the following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; March 6, 1997, sent to

 1-6     printer.)

 1-7                        SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-8           WHEREAS, The success of the Texas shipping industry depends

 1-9     on efficient transportation systems for the prompt delivery of

1-10     goods, yet state government has lagged behind the private sector in

1-11     the development of promising technologies that have enormous

1-12     potential to improve existing systems; and

1-13           WHEREAS, Urban growth and increased traffic as a result of

1-14     the North American Free Trade Agreement have strained the capacity

1-15     of our state highway system and have led to transportation delays

1-16     that hinder the development of international trade, drive up the

1-17     price of consumer goods, and cost businesses $40 billion annually;

1-18     and

1-19           WHEREAS, New technologies, such as the use of transponders in

1-20     the trucking industry to electronically verify weights and permits,

1-21     have streamlined transportation flows and improved overall traffic

1-22     safety and efficiency; and

1-23           WHEREAS, According to the Texas comptroller's performance

1-24     review of Texas state government, Disturbing the Peace, successful

1-25     partnerships between state and local government and the private

1-26     sector have spurred the development of transportation technology in

1-27     Texas and other states and are essential in an era of federal

1-28     budget cuts that limit the state's ability to meet existing

1-29     transportation demands; and

1-30           WHEREAS, Texas ranks among the nation's leaders in economic

1-31     growth and international trade, and the enhancement of our state's

1-32     transportation infrastructure should be a top priority with

1-33     government officials, transportation planners, and business

1-34     leaders; and

1-35           WHEREAS, The responsibility for our state's transportation

1-36     infrastructure resides with the Texas Department of Transportation

1-37     and, as such, the department plays a pivotal role in the formation

1-38     of public and private partnerships and the prudent investment of

1-39     state transportation funds; now, therefore, be it

1-40           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

1-41     hereby encourage the Texas Department of Transportation to build

1-42     partnerships with the Texas Department of Public Safety, federal

1-43     and local governments, private sector organizations, and other

1-44     states to strategically apply technological advancements to our

1-45     state's transportation infrastructure; and, be it further

1-46           RESOLVED, That the department ensure, where possible, that

1-47     intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and automated vehicle

1-48     regulation are compatible with advancements in private sector

1-49     logistics; and, be it further

1-50           RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official

1-51     copy of this resolution to the commissioner of the Texas Department

1-52     of Transportation.

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