SRC-CTC S.C.R. 8 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.C.R. 8
77R2125 ELG-DBy: Shapleigh
Business & Commerce
3/20/2001
As Filed


DIGEST

During the federal fiscal year 2000, over 50 million private vehicles
passed through ports of entry on the Texas-Mexico border.  Many of these
private vehicles are driven by commuters who cross the border routinely and
experience waits at the border checkpoints varying from a few minutes to a
few hours. Many ports of entry on the United States border with Canada and
Mexico have Dedicated Commuter Lanes (DCLs) which reduce waiting times for
participants.  DCLs are designated traffic lanes at border checkpoints that
are restricted to the vehicles of frequent border travelers who have passed
background checks that qualify them for expedited entry and minimal
inspection.  A participant's vehicle is equipped with electronic tags that
signal the identity of the driver and authorized passengers to border
personnel, allowing a quick processing for which an annual fee is assessed
to the participant. 


PURPOSE 

As proposed, S.C.R. 8 submits the following resolutions:

Requests the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to assist local
efforts and to work with the federal government to establish DCLs at
Texas-Mexico border crossings in order to facilitate cross-border
employment and the free movement of people and goods.  Provides that the
secretary of state will forward an official copy of this resolution to the
executive director of TxDOT.