SRC-AMY C.S.S.C.R. 20 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.C.R. 20 78R3607 CLE-DBy: Shapleigh International Relations and Trade 4-3-2003 Committee Report (Amended) DIGEST Mexico is the United States' second-largest trading partner, and, according to the Center for Transportation Research at the University of Texas at Austin, 76 percent of all United States' trade with Mexico passes through Texas. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration records confirm that Texas has seven of the nation's 10 busiest southern border crossings, with 12,000 trucks transporting $290 million in goods through Texas ports of entry and border commercial zones, daily. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement the border is open to Mexican long-haul carriers for travel within the United States, and the United States Department of Transportation reports a direct correlation between the condition of Mexican trucks and the level of inspection resources at the border. Texas does not have permanent border safety inspection facilities that ensure compliance with state and federal safety standards, only temporary state facilities and federal customs lots. In 1999 the 77th Texas Legislature passed legislation regarding the establishment of one-stop border inspection stations for federal, state, and municipal agencies that regulate cross-border traffic, providing a single point of contact between motorcarriers and government regulators and information on regulatory requirements. The onestop stations would also prevent duplication of inspections, facilitate links in government information systems, and reduce crossing times to 10 minutes. Each municipality where the onestop facilities will be located is unique and has different concerns to be addressed. Specifically regarding Laredo, federal and state entities should work in collaboration. Decisions made in Washington in the coming months will define border commerce for the next 10 years, affecting trade, highway damage prevention, environmental protection, and drug interdiction. PURPOSE As proposed, SCR 20 submits the following resolutions: That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas urges the Congress of the United States to fund one-stop border vehicle inspection facilities. That the Texas secretary of state forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the United States Congress, and all the members of the Texas delegation to the congress with the request that this resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Amendment 1: 1) On page 2, line 15, insert the following language: "WHEREAS, each municipality where the one-stop facilities will be located is unique and has different concerns that must be addressed, such as the location of the facility, whether international commerce would be impeded, whether traffic congestion and pollution would be increased, whether all incoming traffic would be treated the same and whether local participation would be prioritized; and WHEREAS, specifically regarding the City of Laredo, federal and state entities should work in collaboration with municipalities and enter into agreements that state that the location, plans and implementation strategy for the proposed facilities are acceptable to all parties involves; and"