SRC-CTC C.S.S.B. 681 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 681 77R13477 DWS-FBy: Shapleigh Business & Commerce 4/23/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE In 1999, approximately 4.4 million truck crossings occurred though nine ports-of-entry from Mexico into Texas, a 250 percent increase since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was ratified. Currently, inspection and customs procedures at ports-of-entry are outdated and cannot keep up with the increase in border traffic resulting from NAFTA, leading to congestion in border cities and restricted movement of goods and people across the border. C.S.S.B. 681 directs the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to implement the recommendations developed by TxDOT, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the comptroller regarding Intelligent Transportation Systems for Commercial Vehicle Operations and sets forth guidelines for TxDOT to follow if TxDOT builds any new commercial vehicle inspection facilities in certain transportation districts. 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 Chapter 201H, Transportation Code, by adding Section 201.614, as follows: Sec. 201.614. COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION PROCESSING SYSTEMS. (a) Defines "port of entry." (b) Provides that this section applies only to a port of entry for land traffic from Mexico, and does not apply to a port of entry for marine traffic. (c) Requires the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the comptroller, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), to the extent TxDOT considers appropriate to expedite commerce and based on the Texas ITS/CVO Business Plan prepared by TxDOT, to provide for implementation by the appropriate agencies of the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems for Commercial Vehicle Operations (ITS/CVO) in any new commercial motor vehicle inspection facility constructed and in any existing facility located at a port of entry to which this section applies. Requires TxDOT to coordinate with other state and federal transportation officials to develop interoperability standards for the system. (d) Prohibits a facility, if TxDOT constructs the facility in certain transportation districts, from being used solely for the purpose of conducting commercial motor vehicle inspections by DPS. Requires the facility to include implementation of ITS/CVO technology by the appropriate agencies to support all commercial motor vehicle regulation and enforcement functions. Requires a facility to which this subsection applies constructed in TxDOT's Laredo transportation district to be located not less than 10 miles or more than 30 miles from the border with Mexico. Prohibits a facility to which this subsection applies from being located in the municipal boundaries or extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality unless the location is approved by certain entities. (e) Sets forth certain requirements on the construction of the facility. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Amends As Filed S.B. 681, as follows: SECTION 1. Amends the section title to Section 210.614, Transportation Code. Removes original proposed text of Section 201.614, Transportation Code, and adds new proposed text of Section 201.614, Transportation Code. SECTION 2. No change.