BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.C.R. 5
82R3914 CBE-D	By: Hinojosa, Lucio
	International Relations & Trade
	2/22/2011
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The cruise operations in the homeports of Galveston and Houston have an enormous economic impact on Texas.  Together, the cities hosted some 680,000 passenger and crew visits in 2007, which accounted for $1.07 billion in direct spending.  In addition, the industry was responsible for generating over 18,500 Texas jobs and paying $893 million in wage income.

South of Galveston, between Calhoun and Cameron Counties, Texas is home to several growing cities, robust tourism, and a wealth of natural resources.  The area also hosts three major deepwater ports, any of which might be a viable site for a cruise line headquarters or a port of embarkation.

Florida and California, respectively, benefit the most from the North American cruise industry; both states currently operate five ports, including Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, Jacksonville, Miami, and Tampa in Florida, and Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, and Oakland in California.  An additional Texas cruise ship port between Calhoun and Cameron Counties could offer an attractive vacation option for a significant portion of the state’s residents and be an economic boon to the state as a whole.

RESOLVED

That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives to provide for a joint interim legislative study regarding the development of a cruise industry on the Texas coast between Calhoun and Cameron Counties and its potential economic impact.

That the committee’s proceedings and operations be governed by such general rules and policies for joint interim committees as the 82nd Legislature may adopt.