84R11272 JAM-D
 
  By: Fletcher H.B. No. 3769
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the funding of certain transportation projects.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 201.623 to read as follows:
         Sec. 201.623.  PRIORITY CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS.
  (a) The department shall designate as priority corridors highways
  or segments of highways in the state highway system that have
  international importance.
         (b)  A transportation project in a priority corridor
  designated under Subsection (a) must be given priority for
  department resources, including available funding and staff time,
  over other department projects.
         SECTION 2.  Sections 222.1075(a)(1) and (3), Transportation
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
               (1)  "Port authority" means:
                     (A)  a port authority or navigation district
  created or operating under Section 52, Article III, or Section 59,
  Article XVI, Texas Constitution; or
                     (B)  a municipality containing an inland port.
               (3)  "Port project" means a project that is necessary
  or convenient for the proper operation of an inland port or a
  maritime port or waterway and that will improve the security,
  movement, and intermodal transportation of cargo or passengers in
  commerce and trade, including dredging, disposal, and other
  projects.
         SECTION 3.  Section 222.1075, Transportation Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (n) to read as follows:
         (n)  Notwithstanding any other law, a port commission may
  designate a port authority transportation reinvestment zone for a
  port project located outside the boundaries of the port authority
  if:
               (1)  the port commission finds that:
                     (A)  the project will benefit the property and
  residents located in the zone; and
                     (B)  the creation of the zone will serve a public
  purpose of the designating authority;
               (2)  a zone has been designated for the same project by
  one or more authorities in whose boundaries the project is located;
  and
               (3)  an agreement for joint support of the designated
  zones is entered into under this section by:
                     (A)  the authority whose boundaries do not contain
  the project; and
                     (B)  one or more of the authorities that have
  designated a zone for the project and in whose boundaries the
  project is located.
         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, 2015.