By: Anchia H.B. No. 3850

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the promotion of Texas airports in the international marketplace.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 21.003(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 21.003(a). The aviation advisory committee consists of [six] seven members appointed by the commission to advise the commission and the department on aviation matters, one of which must have ten years of experience in an executive position at an international airport in a city with a population of 500,000 or more.

SECTION 2. Sec. 21.101(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 21.101(a). The department may loan or grant money to a state agency with a governing board authorized to operate an airport or to a governmental entity in this state to establish, construct, reconstruct, enlarge, or repair an airport, airstrip, or air navigational facility if:

(1) the money has been appropriated to the department for that purpose;

(2) the Advisory Committee has reviewed the potential of the proposed facility for capacity to serve international commerce; and

(3)[(2)] providing the money will:

(A) best serve the public interest; and

(B) best discharge the governmental aeronautics function of the state or its political subdivisions;

SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 21, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 21.115 to read as follows:

Section 21.115. TEXAS GLOBAL AIRPORTS PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "program" means the Texas Global Airports Program.

(b) An interagency, public-private sector work group entitled the Texas Global Airports Work Group is created to:

(1) develop or update a process to allow agencies and business to work together to identify the key emerging global markets for Texas products and services, and inbound foreign investment in Texas businesses, and collaborate to identify improvements to Texas' airports to better serve international commerce;

(2) consult with local governments, educational institutions, economic development and metropolitan planning organizations, workforce development agencies, small business agencies, chambers of commerce, trade associations, and other stakeholders, to elicit recommendations on a statewide strategy to enhance services out of Texas' global airports;

(3) consult with the top industry consumers of Texas products and services in foreign nations, elicit recommendations on improvements to Texas airports, including enhancements targeting international shippers and passengers, which would improve Texas' ability to compete with other states, provinces and nations for international aviation business;

(4) Establish a "Texas Global Airports Fund," and criteria and a procedure through which a facility may secure certification at "Texas Global Airport," entitling the facility to apply for funding for capital and other improvements from the fund.

(c) The task force shall meet at least once quarterly in Austin to report on results of their consultations, new international partnerships, and best practices and case studies from other states, provinces and nations.

(d) No later than December 31, 2014, the Task Force shall publish its findings and strategic recommendations, including selected case studies from other nations, and a strategic plan to boost total international activity at Texas airports by 20% by the year 2025.

(e) In fulfilling its duties, the task force shall consider opportunities to collaborate with the federal government, including the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration, and other federal government departments, and the effect of federal policies, including trade agreements, upon Texas' business opportunities in the global marketplace.

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, 2013.