BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1641

                                                                                                                                            By: Lucio

                                                                                                         International Relations & Trade

                                                                                                                                            3/24/2005

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, the Overweight Corridor Program allows port-bound vehicles to bypass the congested streets of Matamoros and Brownsville, clearing customs within the Port of Brownsville's premises.  However, the permanent solution to the problem of economically transporting overweight truckloads from Mexico to the Port of Brownsville is to build the Port of Brownsville International Rail and Truck Bridge.  The United States Department of State continues to work with the Mexican government to obtain approval to commence construction on the bridge.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1641 provides that the subchapter governing the port authority expires June 1, 2009, rather than the Act governing permits for oversize or overweight vehicles expiring on June 1, 2007.

 

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 Section 623.219, Transportation Code, to provide that the subchapter expires on June 1, 2009, rather than the Act expiring June 1, 2007.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.