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.