BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2110
	By: Men�ndez
	Transportation
	4/3/2017
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

This legislation would require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to add a representative of inland ports to the Port Authority Advisory Committee. This committee was created in 1997 to advise TxDOT on transportation issues affecting port authorities. The Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) appoints the members of the committee. The committee's advice and recommendations provide TTC and TxDOT with a broad perspective regarding ports and transportation-related matters to be considered in formulating department policies concerning connectivity to the Texas port system.

Many of the same considerations and challenges face the state's inland ports, and some inland ports even play a direct role in the transshipment of freight from the state's water ports. S.B. 2110 further improves the coordination and communication between water ports and inland ports as well as with TxDOT's planning efforts by changing the number of members on the committee from seven people to eight. The bill adds one member who represents an inland port. The recent Senate Select Committee on Texas Ports included representatives of both water ports and inland ports in recognition of the interrelationships between these entities and TxDOT.

As proposed, S.B. 2110 amends current law relating to the composition of the Port Authority Advisory Committee.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 55.006(a), Transportation Code, as follows:

(a) Provides that the Port Authority Advisory Committee consists of eight, rather than seven, members appointed by the Texas Transportation Commission. Requires that the members be appointed as follows:

(1) to (3) makes no changes to these subdivisions; and

(4) one member who represents an inland port.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.