SRC-TBR C.S.S.B. 246 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 246
77R10950 DWS-FBy: Shapleigh
Business & Commerce
4/4/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Adequate transportation infrastructure along the Texas-Mexico border is
critical to a prosperous state economy.  C.S.S.B. 246 requires the Texas
Department of Transportation (department) to develop recommendations for
how state resources in the department's three border districts should be
allocated in order to increase international trade. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Sections 201.608(a) and (c), Transportation Code, as
follows:  

(a) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (department), as part
of an annual review, with the cooperation of the Center for Transportation
Research at The University of Texas at Austin and the Texas Transportation
Institute, to develop recommendations concerning how state and federal
highway funds or resources are to be used in the department's Pharr,
Laredo, and El Paso districts to increase international trade, including
certain recommendations, strategies and revisions. 

(c)  Requires the department, not later than February 1 of each
odd-numbered year, to report to the legislature on the recommendations
developed under Subsection (a).   

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amends As Filed S.B. 246 by adding language stating that state and federal
highway funds or resources may be used in the department's Pharr, Laredo,
and El Paso districts to increase international trade.  Adds language to
specify that the recommendations required by this section are to include
certain recommendations, strategies, and revisions.