87R21917 SRA-F
By: Martinez H.B. No. 4201
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4201:
By: Ortega C.S.H.B. No. 4201
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.