BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2843

By: Canales

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been calls to allow border communities who own international ports of entry to leverage their local dollars to strengthen the safety and economic impact of these ports. It has been suggested that statutory updates are needed to reflect the success of the donation assistance program, which allows municipalities to donate property, buildings, structures, or other facilities to the U.S. government to facilitate the safe movement of people and goods across the Texas‑Mexico border. H.B. 2843 seeks to address this issue by clarifying that the donation of property or facilities to the U.S. government is a proper municipal function under state law.

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. 2843 amends the Transportation Code to establish that the donation of property or a building, structure, or other facility by a municipality whose boundaries are within 15 miles of a section of the Rio Grande that forms the border between Texas and Mexico to the United States for use in performing a federal governmental function in the municipality or at or near and relating to a toll bridge of the municipality is a public purpose and a proper municipal function, regardless of whether the toll bridge or facility is located inside or outside the municipality. The bill authorizes such a municipality to donate to the United States property or a facility that is acquired, constructed, improved, enlarged, or equipped with proceeds from the sale of bonds issued for purposes relating to a toll bridge.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.