BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1907
	By: Blanco
	Transportation
	4/15/2021
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Trade with Mexico is an important component of the Texas economy. According to the United States Department of Commerce, trade between Mexico and Texas totaled $441.9 billion in 2019. This trade supports about 463,132 jobs and thousands of small businesses and manufacturers. All signs point to trade with Mexico continuing to increase over the coming decades. The efficiency of the ports of entry between Texas and Mexico is therefore crucial for Texas's economic future.

 

All vehicle traffic that passes through our ports of entry is subject to inspection. Many states, including Texas, have their own inspection processes and requirements which differ from the inspections required under federal law. Therefore, commercial vehicles go through two separate inspections when crossing from Mexico into Texas at ports of entry.

 

Colocated inspections are those which are conducted at the same location. Colocation has been effectively used at ports of entry in Arizona and California to cut down border wait times for commercial vehicles and improve efficient cross-border trade.

 

S.B. 1907 would require the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) to consult with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) to conduct a study on colocated federal and state inspection facilities at ports of entry in Texas.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1907 amends current law relating to a feasibility study on the colocation of federal and state motor vehicle inspection facilities at ports of entry.

 

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. DEFINITIONS. Defines "department," "institute," and "port of entry."

 

SECTION 2. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON COLOCATED INSPECTION PORTS. (a) Requires the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), in consultation with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS), to conduct a feasibility study on erecting and maintaining a colocated federal and state inspection facility at each port of entry in this state for the inspection of motor vehicles for compliance with federal and state commercial motor vehicle regulations. Requires that the study include:

 

(1) a summary of:

 

(A) past efforts by DPS and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to maintain colocated federal and state inspection facilities at each port of entry;

 

(B) any current efforts to colocate or separate federal and state inspection facilities at ports of entry in other states;

 

(C) current priorities and expectations of TxDOT and DPS regarding motor vehicle inspections at ports of entry;

 

(D) TxDOT's and DPS's perspectives on the advantages and disadvantages of colocated federal and state inspection facilities; and

 

(E) FMCSA's perspective on the advantages and disadvantages of colocated federal and state inspection facilities, as solicited by TTI under Subsection (b) of this section; and

 

(2) potential scenarios for the colocation of federal and state inspection facilities at each port of entry in this state and an analysis of each scenario's advantages and disadvantages.

 

(b) Requires TTI, in conducting the study under this section, to solicit FMCSA's perspective on the advantages and disadvantages of colocated federal and state inspection facilities.

 

SECTION 3. REPORT. Requires TTI, before the study under Section 2 of this Act is completed, to contact FMCSA to arrange receipt of the report required by this section. Requires TTI, not later than December 1, 2022, to report the results of the study conducted under Section 2 of this Act and any recommendations to FMCSA in the manner and format requested by FMCSA.

 

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION DATE. Provides that this Act expires January 1, 2023.

 

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: September 1, 2021.