BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1079

By: Price

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been calls to better facilitate the transportation of goods and services from Mexico through the western United States and ultimately into Canada. It has been suggested that such efforts will improve safety, reduce congestion at ports of entry along the Texas-Mexico border, provide alternatives to other congested corridors that run through major metropolitan areas, and help to increase trade between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. H.B. 1079 seeks to answer recent calls for further research into a proposed corridor to ensure efficient use of state resources by providing for a study of the feasibility of certain highway improvements.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1079 requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to conduct a comprehensive study of the feasibility of and the costs and logistical matters associated with improvements that extend Interstate Highway 27 from its northern terminus to Dumas, from Dumas to Stratford, and from Stratford to the Oklahoma state border and that extend Interstate Highway 27 from its northern terminus to Dumas, from Dumas to Dalhart, and from Dalhart to the New Mexico state border. The bill requires TxDOT, not later than January 1, 2021, to submit a report on the results of the study to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the presiding officer of each standing committee of the legislature with jurisdiction over transportation matters. The bill expires on August 31, 2021.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.