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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation, financing, management, powers, |
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operation, and control of inland port authorities and the |
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establishment and promotion of inland port facilities in the state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 12, Local Government Code is |
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amended by adding Chapter 399 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 399. INLAND PORTS AND INLAND PORT AUTHORITIES |
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SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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Sec. 399.001. PURPOSE. This chapter furthers the public |
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purpose of developing and diversifying the economy of this state by |
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encouraging the establishment of inland ports to facilitate |
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commerce through strategic investment in multi-modal |
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transportation assets and comprehensive planning, development, |
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management, and operation of transportation, commercial |
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processing, international trade and related facilities and |
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supporting infrastructure. |
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Sec. 399.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) "Authority" means an inland port authority created |
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under this chapter. |
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(2) "Inland port" means a port located away from traditional |
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coastal borders. |
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(3) "Inland port improvement or facility" means an |
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improvement or facility necessary or convenient for the proper |
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operation of an inland port. |
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(Sections 399.003-399.010 reserved for expansion) |
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SUBCHAPTER B. CREATION OF AN INLAND PORT AUTHORITY |
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Sec. 399.011. CREATION OF INLAND PORT AUTHORITY. Any |
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combination of counties or municipalities or of counties and |
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municipalities may agree, by ordinance, resolution, rule, order, or |
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other means to establish an authority. The ordinance, resolution, |
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rule, or order may provide for the methods by which an authority may |
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raise revenue and acquire property and other appropriate powers and |
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duties of the authority. |
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(Sections 399.012 to 399.030 reserved for expansion) |
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SUBCHAPTER C. POWERS AND DUTIES OF AN INLAND PORT AUTHORITY |
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Sec. 399.031. GENERAL POWERS OF INLAND PORT AUTHORITY. An |
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authority exercises public and essential governmental functions |
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and has the powers necessary or convenient to accomplish the |
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purposes and provisions of this chapter. |
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Sec. 399.032. AUTHORITY REGARDING PORT IMPROVEMENTS AND |
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FACILITIES. An authority may construct, acquire, lease, improve, |
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enlarge, extend, repair, maintain, replace, develop, or operate an |
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inland port improvement or facility. |
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Sec. 399.033. FINANCING OF PORT IMPROVEMENTS AND |
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FACILITIES. An authority may issue bonds in connection with the |
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development of inland port improvements or facilities and may levy |
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and collect ad valorem taxes in connection therewith provided such |
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levy is approved through an election among qualified voters within |
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the authority boundaries. |
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(Sections 399.034 to 399.050 reserved for expansion) |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |