HBA-MPA H.B. 1918 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1918
By: Oliveira
Transportation
3/22/1999
Introduced


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, no state plan exists which incorporates all facets of
transportation: airlines, maritime, shipping, rail, and highways.
Bordering the Future, a report published in July 1998 by the comptroller's
office, recommended the creation of a State Transportation Council to
develop such a plan to improve transportation facilities for the benefit of
the state's economy.  H.B. 1918 creates the State Transportation Council to
develop a statewide multi-modal transportation plan. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  DEFINITION.  Defines "border region."

SECTION 2.  STATE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL. Creates the State Transportation
Council(council) to develop a comprehensive multi-modal transportation plan
to promote and facilitate economic development in this state.  Provides
that the council is composed of seven members with one to be  a
representative of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and one a
resident of the border region. 

SECTION 3.  PRESIDING OFFICER.  Requires the governor to designate a
presiding officer of the council from among the members. 

SECTION 4.  MEETINGS. Requires the council to meet at least quarterly at
the call of the presiding officer. 

SECTION 5.  COMPENSATION.  Provides that a member of the council is not
entitled to compensation for serving as a member but is entitled to
reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred while conducting the
council's business. 

SECTION 6.  STAFF.  Requires TxDOT to provide staff support to the council
as necessary. 

SECTION 7.  TRANSPORTATION PLAN.  Requires the council, in developing a
comprehensive multi-modal transportation plan, to: 

(1) consult with representatives of airlines, maritime, shipping, and
railroad industries in this state; 
(2) discuss issues and seek assistance from staff of TxDOT, the Texas
Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University, and any other
transportation bodies in the state; 
(3) develop recommendations concerning transportation linkages between
statewide transportation facilities and national and international markets; 
(4) develop recommendations concerning transportation linkages between
rural communities, the border region and national and international
markets; 
(5) develop strategies to make the state's Gulf Coast ports the ports of
choice in the United States; 
(6) develop a strategy to eliminate congestion at international border
crossings in this state; 
 (7) address and recommend means to facilitate access to ports located on
the Pacific Coast of Mexico; and 
(8) address funding for the plan.

SECTION 8.  COMPLETION AND SUBMISSION OF PLAN.  Requires the council to
complete the plan no later than January 1, 2001, and submit the plan to the
governor and the legislature. 

SECTION 9.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  Provides that this Act takes effect September
1, 1999. 

SECTION 10.  EXPIRATION DATE.  Provides that this Act expires and the State
Transportation Council is abolished September 1, 2001. 

SECTION 11.  EMERGENCY.  Emergency clause.