SRC-CTC S.C.R. 9 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.C.R. 9 77R1996 RVH-DBy: Shapleigh Business & Commerce 1/26/2001 As Filed DIGEST The daily flow of international trade through Texas via the international bridges and border crossings along the Rio Grande under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) involves many different interests and interactions among various entities, each with its own set of short and long-term goals. Coordinating these interests into a comprehensive plan to address current and future needs for infrastructure improvement can be difficult. Local governments should have the option to create regional authorities to identify and administer projects to enhance trade activities at the border. The Senate Interim Committee on NAFTA recommended to the 76th Texas Legislature that it consider authorizing the creation of 19 border port authorities to aid in meeting certain needs of the border region. A border port authority would have certain powers and authority to complete projects that address demands placed on the current infrastructure. The creation of a border port authority on the Texas-Mexico border would require a cooperative arrangement and participation between the United States, Mexico, and the affected state and local governments of both countries. PURPOSE As proposed, S.C.R. 9 submits the following resolutions: Authorizes the 77th Legislature to urge the United State Congress to take steps to further the creation of port authorities along the Texas-Mexico border. Provides that the Texas secretary of state forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas congressional delegation to request that this resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record.