By: Deshotel H.B. No. 4021
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the financing of ports in the state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
  SECTION 1.   Section 55.001, Transportation Code, is amended by
  adding Subdivision (6) to read as follows:
               (6)  "Port access improvement project" means the
  construction or improvement of public roadways that will enhance
  connectivity to ports.
         SECTION 2.  Section 55.002(e), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (e)  The commission may use money from the Texas Mobility
  Fund to provide funding for a port access improvement project[,
  including through a loan, for a port security project, a port
  transportation project, or a project eligible for funding under
  Subsection (c)].
         SECTION 3.  Subtitle A, Title 4, Transportation Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 56 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 56. FUNDING OF SHIP CHANNEL IMPROVEMENTS
         Sec. 56.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Commission" means the Texas Transportation
  Commission.
               (2)  "Department" means the Texas Department of
  Transportation.
               (3)  "Fund" means the ship channel improvement
  revolving fund.
               (4)  "Navigation district" means a navigation district
  created under Section 52, Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI,
  Texas Constitution, and operating under Chapter 60, 61, 62, or 63,
  Water Code.
         Sec. 56.002.  SHIP CHANNEL IMPROVEMENT REVOLVING FUND. The
  ship channel improvement revolving fund is an account in the
  general revenue fund.  The fund is administered by the department.
         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, 2017.