SRC-TAG S.B. 963 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 963 78R6712 DWS-DBy: Shapleigh International Relations and Trade 4/14/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Over the past fifteen years, the United States (U.S.) trade with Mexico has increased from $48 billion to $239 billion. Eighty percent of all U.S. trade with Mexico passes through Texas ports of entry, making Mexico the state's most important trading partner. Consequently, Texas need a transportation system that can sustain the trade growth with Mexico and with other emerging international markets. As proposed, S.B. 963 directs the Texas Department of Transportation to provide an analysis of the international trade flow through Texas, by mode, in order to develop a clearer understanding of which aspects of the Texas transportation system are working well, which need to be strengthened, and whether transportation segments in the state can handle the future growth. 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 Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, by adding Section 201.6011, as follows: Sec. 201.6011. INTERNATIONAL TRADE CORRIDOR PLAN. Requires the Texas Department of Transportation to implement an integrated international trade corridor plan. Requires the plan to include strategies and projects to aid the exchange of international trade using the system of multiple transportation modes in this state and assign priorities based on the amount of international trade, measured by weight and value, using the transportation systems of this state, including border ports of entry, commercial ports, inland ports, highways, pipelines, railroads, and deepwater gulf ports. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.