BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1474
87R11385 SRA-D	By: Perry
	Transportation
	4/6/2021
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Background:

 

The passage of H.B. 1079 during the 86th Legislature directed the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to form a Ports-to-Plains Advisory Committee. The bill required TxDOT to conduct a study of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor and to evaluate the feasibility of costs and logistical matters associated with certain improvements that would extend Interstate Highway 27. The bill required TxDOT to submit a report on the results of the Ports-to-Plains corridor study. The study was completed and delivered 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 in October of 2020.

 

The advisory committee made recommendations at the end of the study for TxDOT to establish an I-27 Corridor Advisory Committee. The I-27 Corridor Advisory Committee would be charged with providing advice and guidance to TxDOT on the implementation priorities of the interstate feasibility study project recommendations to upgrade the corridor to an interstate facility and the interstate designation of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor in Texas. The committee would also be responsible for engaging national, state, regional and local stakeholders on I-27 extension status and project development.

 

S.B. 1474 amends Subchapter H, Chapter 201, of the Transportation Code by adding Section 201.623 to create the I-27 Advisory Committee.

 

Bill Summary:

 

S.B. 1474 as proposed creates the I-27 Advisory Committee. The advisory committee once established would provide the department with an enhanced understanding of public, business, and private concerns relating to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. Facilitate the department's communications and project development objectives relating to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. Encourage greater cooperation between the department and affected parties during the planning and development of projects relating to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1474 amends current law relating to the I-27 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 Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, by adding Section 201.623, as follows:

 

Sec. 201.623.� I-27 ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) Defines "advisory committee," "feasibility study," and "Ports-to-Plains Corridor."

 

(b)� Provides that the I-27 Advisory Committee (advisory committee) is established to:

 

(1)� provide the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) with an enhanced understanding of public, business, and private concerns relating to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor;

 

(2)� facilitate TxDOT's communications and project development objectives relating to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor; and

 

(3)� encourage greater cooperation between TxDOT and affected parties during the planning and development of projects relating to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor.

 

(c)� Requires the advisory committee to regularly provide advice and recommendations to TxDOT on transportation improvements to be made in the Ports-to-Plains Corridor, including on:

 

(1)� facilities to be included in a development plan for the Ports-to-Plains Corridor;

 

(2)� upgrades and other improvements to be made to existing facilities located in the Ports-to-Plains Corridor; and

 

(3)� other corridor-level planning and development matters as requested by TxDOT.

 

(d)� Requires the advisory committee, in developing advice and recommendations to:

(1)� evaluate economic, political, societal, and demographic population trends affecting transportation; and

 

(2)� consider existing facilities, upgrades to existing facilities, new and planned facilities, multimodal solutions, and available financing options.

 

(e)� Provides that the advisory committee is composed of:

 

(1)� three county judges representing counties along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor to be selected based on geographic segments that were established for the feasibility study;

 

(2)� the mayors of Amarillo, Midland, Lubbock, San Angelo, Del Rio, and Laredo;

 

(3)� three economic development professionals to be selected based on geographic segments that were established for the feasibility study;

 

(4)� one business representative from the agriculture industry;

 

(5)� one business representative from the international trade industry;

 

(6)� one business representative from the energy industry;

 

(7)� one member from a metropolitan planning organization representing a region along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor; and

 

(8)� one member of the state legislature.

 

(f)� Requires the members of the advisory committee described by Subsection (e)(2) to appoint the remaining members of the advisory committee by majority vote.

 

(g)� Provides that an advisory committee member serves until the member ceases to hold the underlying position that qualifies the member for service on the committee or resigns.

 

(h)� Provides that a vacancy on the advisory committee is filled:

 

(1)� for a vacancy for a position qualified under Subsection (e)(2), by the person holding the elected position vacated by the former member; and

 

(2)� for any other position, by majority vote of the advisory committee members described by Subsection (e)(2).

 

(i)� Requires the advisory committee to elect by majority vote of the committee a chair to serve as the committee's presiding officer and a vice-chair to serve as the committee's presiding officer in the absence of the chair.

 

(j)� Requires the advisory committee to meet at least once each calendar year and at such other times as requested by the department or the chair. Authorizes the advisory committee to meet remotely or by teleconference as determined by the chair or the department.

 

(k)� Provides that an advisory committee member is not entitled to receive compensation for service on the committee or reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of official duties as a member of the committee.

 

(l)� Provides that Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees), Government Code, does not apply to the advisory committee.

 

 

SECTION 2. (a) Requires the members of the I-27 Advisory Committee established under Section 201.623, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, described by Section 201.623(e)(2), Transportation Code, as added by this Act, to make the appointments required by that section not later than October 1, 2021.

 

(b)� Requires the I-27 Advisory Committee established under Section 201.623, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, to meet on or before the 30th day after the completion of appointments under Subsection (a) of this section.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.