Relating to the use of Texas Department of Transportation facilities or property to serve a project aiding security in a ship channel security district.
Impact
The bill amends the Water Code by adding a new section that explicitly defines the terms under which TxDOT's facilities may be utilized for projects aimed at improving security in designated areas. This could potentially lead to increased collaboration between state and local governments, potentially resulting in more effective security implementations around critical transportation corridors. Additionally, counties that have established ship channel security districts will benefit from access to TxDOT's resources, including the use of its fiber optic network for transportation-related security projects.
Summary
House Bill 1871 focuses on enhancing security measures within ship channel security districts by allowing the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to make its facilities and property available for security-related projects. The bill recognizes the strategic importance of transportation infrastructure in safeguarding areas designated as ship channel security districts, and establishes a legal framework for local governments to cooperate with TxDOT in this regard. By doing so, it aims to facilitate projects that may enhance security without undermining transportation functions.
Contention
While the bill is primarily oriented towards enhancing security, some points of contention may arise surrounding the control and usage of TxDOT property and resources. There could be concerns regarding the prioritization of security projects over other transportation needs, as well as how these agreements are structured between local districts and the state. Furthermore, implications related to funding and resource allocation may need to be addressed to ensure that enhancing security does not compromise transportation services.
Identical
Relating to the use of Texas Department of Transportation facilities or property to serve a project aiding security in a ship channel security district.
Relating to homeland security, including the creation of the Texas Homeland Security Division in the Department of Public Safety, the operations of the Homeland Security Council, the creation of a homeland security fusion center, and the duties of state agencies and local governments in preparing for, reporting, and responding to cybersecurity breaches; providing administrative penalties; creating criminal offenses.
Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing the Texas Homeland Security Division and the Border Security Advisory Council, and to compensate persons affected by those threats.
Relating to border security enhancement projects, the creation of a fund to pay for those projects, and a study on certain projects; allocating the earnings on the fund balance and reimbursement of related expenditures; granting the power of eminent domain.