By: Blanco S.B. No. 1907

(Martinez)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a feasibility study on the colocation of federal and state motor vehicle inspection facilities at ports of entry.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:

(1) "Department" means the Texas Department of Transportation.

(2) "Institute" means the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

(3) "Port of entry" has the meaning assigned by Section 201.710, Transportation Code.

SECTION 2. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON COLOCATED INSPECTION PORTS. (a) The institute, in consultation with the department and the Department of Public Safety, shall 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. The study must include:

(1) a summary of:

(A) past efforts by the Department of Public Safety and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 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 wait times at inspection facilities at each port of entry;

(D) current priorities and expectations of the department and the Department of Public Safety regarding motor vehicle inspections at ports of entry;

(E) the department's and Department of Public Safety's perspectives on the advantages and disadvantages of colocated federal and state inspection facilities; and

(F) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's perspective on the advantages and disadvantages of colocated federal and state inspection facilities, as solicited by the institute under Subsection (b) of this section;

(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;

(3) an analysis of potential economic benefits of colocating federal and state inspection facilities at each port of entry; and

(4) an analysis of the potential effects of colocating federal and state inspection facilities at each point of entry on wait times at inspection facilities.

(b) In conducting the study under this section, the institute shall solicit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's perspective on the advantages and disadvantages of colocated federal and state inspection facilities.

SECTION 3. REPORT. (a) Before the study under Section 2 of this Act is completed, the institute shall contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to arrange receipt of the report required by this subsection. Not later than December 1, 2022, the institute shall report the results of the study conducted under Section 2 of this Act and any recommendations to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in the manner and format requested by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

(b) Not later than December 1, 2022, the institute shall submit to the members of the legislature a report on the results of the study conducted under Section 2 of this Act and any recommendations for legislative or other action.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION DATE. This Act expires January 1, 2023.

SECTION 5. IMPLEMENTATION. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute is required to implement this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute may, but is not required to, implement this Act using other appropriations available for the purpose.

SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.