79R2632 DWS-D

By:  Lucio, Shapleigh, Zaffirini                                  S.B. No. 183



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the appointment, operation, and recommendations of the 
Border Trade Advisory Committee.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 201.114, Transportation Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	Sec. 201.114.  BORDER TRADE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.  (a)  In this 
section, "coordinator" means the border commerce coordinator 
designated under Section 772.010, Government Code.
	(b)  The coordinator shall serve on the Border Trade Advisory 
Committee as presiding officer.  The coordinator, in consultation 
with the commission, shall appoint the other members of the 
committee, which must include:
		(1)  the presiding officer of the policy board of each 
metropolitan planning organization located wholly or partly in the 
department's Pharr, Laredo, or El Paso transportation district;
		(2)  the person serving in the capacity of executive 
director of each entity governing a port of entry in this state; and
		(3)  a representative from each institute or center 
operated by a university in this state to research transportation 
or trade issues.
	(c)  The [commission shall establish the] Border Trade 
Advisory Committee shall [to] define and develop a strategy and 
make recommendations to the commission and governor for addressing 
the highest priority border trade transportation challenges.  In 
determining action to be taken on the recommendations, the 
commission shall consider the importance of trade with the United 
Mexican States, potential sources of infrastructure funding at 
border ports, and the value of trade activity in the department's 
districts adjacent to the border with the United Mexican States.
	(d) [(b)]  The commission, in consultation with the 
coordinator, may adopt rules governing the Border Trade Advisory 
Committee.
	(e)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the 
size, composition, or duration of the Border Trade Advisory 
Committee.
	SECTION 2.  Section 201.6011, Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 201.6011.  INTERNATIONAL TRADE CORRIDOR PLAN.  (a)  To 
the extent possible, the department shall coordinate with 
appropriate entities to develop an integrated international trade 
corridor plan.  The plan must:
		(1)  include strategies and projects to aid the 
exchange of international trade using the system of multiple 
transportation modes in this state; [and]
		(2)  assign priorities based on the amount of 
international trade, measured by weight and value, using the 
transportation systems of this state, including:
			(A)  border ports of entry;                                                  
			(B)  commercial ports;                                                       
			(C)  inland ports;                                                           
			(D)  highways;                                                               
			(E)  pipelines;                                                              
			(F)  railroads; and                                                          
			(G)  deepwater gulf ports; and                                        
		(3)  address implementation of the recommendations of 
the Border Trade Advisory Committee under Section 201.114.
	(b)  The department shall update the plan biennially and
report on the implementation of this section to the presiding 
officer of each house of the legislature no later than December 1 of 
each even-numbered year [, 2004].
	SECTION 3.  The term of a member serving on the Border Trade 
Advisory Committee immediately preceding the effective date of this 
Act expires on that date.  The member may be reappointed to the 
committee.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.