1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the establishment of a task force to study the 1-3 viability of creating border port of entry authorities. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: 1-6 (1) "Authority" means a border port of entry 1-7 authority. 1-8 (2) "Department" means the Texas Department of 1-9 Transportation. 1-10 (3) "Task force" means the Border Port of Entry 1-11 Authority Task Force established under this Act. 1-12 SECTION 2. BORDER PORT OF ENTRY AUTHORITY TASK FORCE. The 1-13 department shall establish a Border Port of Entry Authority Task 1-14 Force to study the viability of creating border port of entry 1-15 authorities to facilitate the transportation and other movement of 1-16 goods through El Paso County. 1-17 SECTION 3. MEMBERSHIP. (a) The task force is composed of: 1-18 (1) one nonvoting member representing the department, 1-19 appointed by the executive director of the department; 1-20 (2) three members representing the city of El Paso, 1-21 appointed by the mayor of El Paso; 1-22 (3) three members representing the county of El Paso, 1-23 appointed by the county judge; and 1-24 (4) three members approved by the transportation 1-25 policy board of the El Paso region. 2-1 (b) The member representing the department shall serve as 2-2 the presiding officer of the task force. 2-3 SECTION 4. ASSISTANCE; EXPENSES. (a) The department shall 2-4 provide staff necessary to assist the task force in performing its 2-5 duties. 2-6 (b) A task force member is not entitled to compensation. 2-7 Each entity with a member on the task force is responsible for that 2-8 member's expenses. 2-9 SECTION 5. TASK FORCE DUTIES. In studying the viability of 2-10 creating authorities, the task force shall study and consider: 2-11 (1) the procedures used to create an authority, 2-12 including election procedures; 2-13 (2) the jurisdiction of an authority; 2-14 (3) the potential powers and responsibilities of an 2-15 authority, including: 2-16 (A) improving, operating, and maintaining 2-17 warehouses, parking facilities, service stations, and toll and 2-18 toll-free roads and bridges and related structures and 2-19 infrastructure; 2-20 (B) the power of eminent domain; and 2-21 (C) long-term planning, including the 2-22 preparation of a comprehensive development plan; and 2-23 (4) sources of revenue for an authority. 2-24 SECTION 6. CONSULTATION. In conducting its study, the task 2-25 force shall consult with the department and each metropolitan 2-26 planning organization whose planning area includes a portion of El 3-1 Paso County. 3-2 SECTION 7. REPORT. (a) The department shall prepare a 3-3 report of the findings and recommendations of the task force. The 3-4 department may include its own recommendations in the report. 3-5 (b) The department may contract with a private entity or a 3-6 university to prepare the report. 3-7 (c) Not later than January 15, 2003, the department shall 3-8 submit the report to the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the 3-9 house of representatives. 3-10 SECTION 8. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110, 3-11 Government Code, does not apply to the task force. 3-12 SECTION 9. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and this 3-13 Act expires January 15, 2003. 3-14 SECTION 10. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect 3-15 immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members 3-16 elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, 3-17 Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote 3-18 necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 3-19 2001. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 465 passed the Senate on April 24, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 0, one present not voting; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 26, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0, one present not voting. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 465 passed the House, with amendment, on May 23, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, two present not voting. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor