By Shapleigh, et al. S.B. No. 246 Substitute the following for S.B. No. 246: By Alexander C.S.S.B. No. 246 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to a review of transportation projects related to 1-3 international trade. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subsections (a) and (c), Section 201.608, 1-6 Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows: 1-7 (a) The department annually shall review its proposed road 1-8 projects to determine whether the projects are adequate to allow 1-9 for the projected volume of highway traffic resulting from 1-10 international trade over the five-year period following the date of 1-11 the review. As part of the review, the department shall develop 1-12 recommendations concerning how department resources may be used in 1-13 the department's districts adjacent to the border with Mexico to 1-14 facilitate international trade. The department may contract with a 1-15 public senior college or university, as defined by Section 61.003, 1-16 Education Code, for assistance in preparing all or a portion of the 1-17 review. The recommendations must include: 1-18 (1) recommendations concerning transportation linkages 1-19 between national and international markets and the area adjacent to 1-20 the border with Mexico, including rural communities in that area; 1-21 and 1-22 (2) strategies to eliminate congestion at 1-23 international border crossings. 1-24 (c) Not later than February 1 of each odd-numbered year, the 2-1 department shall report to the legislature on: 2-2 (1) the ability of the state highway system to allow 2-3 for the projected volume of highway traffic resulting from 2-4 international trade over the five-year period following the date of 2-5 the report; and 2-6 (2) the recommendations developed under Subsection 2-7 (a). 2-8 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.