By: Anchia H.B. No. 3849
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the enhancement of Texas' international bridges and
border crossings to better service international cargo and
passenger traffic.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 201.612(c) is amended to read as
follows:
Section 201.612(c) In determining whether to approve
construction of the bridge, the commission shall consider:
(1) the financial resources available to the political
subdivision or private entity for construction of the bridge;
(2) whether the revenue to be generated by the bridge
is sufficient to finance the planning, design, construction,
operation, and maintenance of the bridge;
(3) whether the construction of the bridge is
consistent with the transportation plan adopted by the state and,
if appropriate, by the metropolitan planning organization with
jurisdiction over the bridge;
(4) the potential effect of the bridge on:
(A) the economy of the region in which the bridge
is to be located;
(B) the environment of the region in which the
bridge is to be located;
(C) traffic congestion and mobility; [and]
(D) the free flow of trade between the United
Mexican States and this state; and
(E) the potential for bridge to enhance the
region's role in the global marketplace as a hub for international
freight processing and shipment, foreign direct investment,
manufacturing, workforce development, and a contributor to the
state's competitiveness in the global marketplace;
(5) commitments from the appropriate jurisdictions of
the United Mexican States to provide adequate approach roadways to
the bridge[.]; and
(6) Cost savings, accelerated project delivery, new
capital resources, leveraging opportunities, operational
efficiencies, technology enhancements and other benefits that
could be obtained through the use of a public-private partnership
financing arrangement.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 201, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 201.623 to read as follows:
Sec. 201.623. TEXAS SUPERPORTS PROGRAM. (a) In this
section, "program" means the Texas Superports Program.
(b) An interagency, public-private sector work group
entitled the Texas Superports Work Group is created to consult
upon, develop, adopt an action plan for, and fund the program,
including:
(1) develop or update a process to allow agencies and
business to work together to identify the key emerging global
markets for Texas products and services, and inbound foreign
investment in Texas businesses, and collaborate to identify
improvements to Texas' bridges and border crossings on the Mexican
border to better serve international commerce;
(2) consult with local governments, educational
institutions, economic development and metropolitan planning
organizations, workforce development agencies, small business
agencies, chambers of commerce, trade associations, and other
stakeholders, to elicit recommendations on a potential
enhancements to infrastructure, services, technologies and other
development to improve the speed, safety and efficiency of cargo
and passenger processing at the Texas-Mexico border;
(3) consult with the top industry users of
Texas-Mexico bridge and border crossings, including Texas-Mexico
border area automobile manufacturers, maquiladora operators,
freight forwarders, and other businesses active in the region, and
elicit recommendations on potential systemwide improvements that
could heighten the entire Texas-Mexico border region's capacity to
compete with other global regions for trade and investment; and
(4) Establish a "Texas Superports Fund," and criteria
and a procedure through which a facility may secure certification
as a "Texas Global Seaport," entitling the facility to apply for
funding for consulting and other services to support efforts to
market and promote the Superport in the international market.
(c) The task force shall meet at least once quarterly to
report on results of their consultations, new international
partnerships, and best practices and case studies from other
states, provinces and nations.
(d) No later than December 31, 2014, the Task Force shall
publish its findings and strategic recommendations, including
selected case studies from other nations, and a strategic plan to
boost trade volumes served at Texas bridges and border crossings by
20% by the year 2025.
(e) In fulfilling its duties, the task force shall consider
opportunities to collaborate with the federal government,
including the U.S. Department of and other federal government
departments, and the effect of federal policies, including trade
agreements, upon Texas' bridges and border crossings.
SECTION 3. Sec. 364.001, Transportation Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 364.001. (a) A county bordering the Rio Grande, acting
through the commissioners court of the county, as a part of its road
and bridge system may acquire a toll bridge by any method, including
by:
(1) construction; [or]
(2) public-private partnership agreement; or
(2) purchase of an entire toll bridge or only that part
of the toll bridge that is located in this state.
SECTION 4. Sec. 364.004, Transportation Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 364.004. (a) A county may enter into and make payments
under an agreement with a private entity or another governmental
entity to acquire, construct, finance, maintain, or operate a toll
bridge, including an international toll bridge, and a private or
governmental entity in this state may enter into an agreement with a
county for that purpose.
(b) In connection with or in support of an agreement entered
into under Subsection (a), the county may enter into a lease, an
operating agreement, a service agreement, a license agreement, a
franchise agreement, public-private partnership, or a similar
agreement with a private entity or another governmental entity.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.