82R3358 AJZ-F
 
  By: Lucio S.B. No. 815
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the funding of port security, facility projects, and
  port studies.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 55.001(5), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (5)  "Port security, transportation, or facility
  project" means a project that is necessary or convenient for the
  proper operation of a maritime port and that will improve the
  security, movement, and intermodal transportation of cargo or
  passengers in commerce and trade.
         SECTION 2.  Sections 55.002(a), (b), and (c), Transportation
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  From money in the fund, the department shall fund:
               (1)  port security, transportation, or facility
  projects; and
               (2)  maritime port studies.
         (b)  The commission by rule may establish matching fund
  requirements for receiving money from the fund [department may not
  fund a port security, transportation, or facility project unless an
  amount at least equal to the amount provided by the department is
  invested in the project by a port authority or navigation
  district].
         (c)  Port security, transportation, or facility projects
  eligible for funding under this chapter include:
               (1)  construction or improvement of transportation
  facilities within the jurisdiction of a maritime port;
               (2)  the dredging or deepening of channels, turning
  basins, or harbors;
               (3)  the construction or improvement of wharves, docks,
  structures, jetties, piers, storage facilities, cruise terminals,
  or any facilities necessary or useful in connection with maritime
  port transportation or economic development;
               (4)  the construction or improvement of facilities
  necessary or useful in providing maritime port security;
               (5)  the acquisition of container cranes or other
  mechanized equipment used in the movement of cargo or passengers in
  international commerce;
               (6)  the acquisition of land to be used for maritime
  port purposes;
               (7)  the acquisition, improvement, enlargement, or
  extension of existing maritime port facilities; and
               (8)  environmental protection projects that:
                     (A)  are required as a condition of a state,
  federal, or local environmental permit or other form of approval;
                     (B)  are necessary for the acquisition of spoil
  disposal sites and improvements to existing and future spoil sites;
  or
                     (C)  result from the undertaking of eligible
  projects.
         SECTION 3.  Section 55.005(c), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  Money in the fund may be appropriated only to the
  department to perform the department's powers and duties concerning
  maritime port transportation and economic development under this
  chapter and to pay the department's expenses incurred under this
  chapter.
         SECTION 4.  Section 55.006(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The committee consists of seven members appointed by the
  commission. The members shall be appointed as follows:
               (1)  one member from the Port of Houston Authority;
               (2)  three members who represent maritime ports on the
  upper Texas coast; and
               (3)  three members who represent maritime ports on the
  lower Texas coast.
         SECTION 5.  Section 55.007, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 55.007.  DUTIES OF COMMITTEE. (a) The committee shall:
               (1)  prepare a maritime port mission plan;
               (2)  review each project eligible to be funded under
  this chapter and make recommendations for approval or disapproval
  to the department;
               (3)  every two years [maintain trade data information
  that will assist ports in this state and international trade;
               [(4)  annually] prepare a report on Texas maritime
  ports, with a list of projects that have been recommended by the
  committee, including:
                     (A)  the recommended funding level for each
  project; and
                     (B)  if staged implementation of the project is
  appropriate, the funding requirements for each stage; and
               (4) [(5)]  advise the commission and the department on
  matters relating to port authorities.
         (b)  The committee shall update the report on Texas maritime
  ports and shall submit the report not later than December 1 of each
  even-numbered year to the commission for distribution to:
               (1)  the governor;
               (2)  the lieutenant governor; and
               (3)  the speaker of the house of representatives.
         SECTION 6.  Section 55.008, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 55.008.  CAPITAL PROGRAM. (a) The committee shall
  prepare a two-year port capital program defining the goals and
  objectives of the committee concerning the development of maritime
  port facilities and an intermodal transportation system. The port
  capital program must include projects or studies submitted to the
  committee by any maritime port and recommendations for:
               (1)  the construction of transportation facilities
  connecting any maritime port to another transportation mode; and
               (2)  the efficient, cost-effective development of
  transportation facilities or maritime port facilities for the
  purpose of:
                     (A)  enhancing international trade;
                     (B)  enhancing security;
                     (C)  promoting cargo flow;
                     (D)  increasing cruise passenger movements;
                     (E)  increasing maritime port revenues; and
                     (F)  providing economic benefits to the state.
         (b)  The committee shall update the port capital program
  [annually] and shall submit the capital program not later than
  December [February] 1 of each even-numbered year to:
               (1)  the governor;
               (2)  the lieutenant governor;
               (3)  the speaker of the house of representatives; and
               (4)  the commission.
         SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.