Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1499 Compare Versions

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1	1	S.B. No. 1499
2	2
3	3
4	4	AN ACT
5	5	relating to the funding of certain port projects.
6	6	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
7	7	SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 55, Transportation Code,
8	8	is amended to read as follows:
9	9	CHAPTER 55. FUNDING OF PORT DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
10	10	[SECURITY,] PROJECTS, PORT CONNECTIVITY PROJECTS, AND STUDIES
11	11	SECTION 2. Sections 55.001(4-a) and (5), Transportation
12	12	Code, are amended to read as follows:
13	13	(4-a) "Port connectivity [access improvement]
14	14	project" means the construction or improvement of public roadways
15	15	that will enhance connectivity to ports.
16	16	(5) "Port development and infrastructure [security,
17	17	transportation, or facility] project" means an infrastructure,
18	18	security, transportation, or facility [a] project that is necessary
19	19	or convenient for the proper operation of a maritime port and that
20	20	will improve the security, movement, and intermodal transportation
21	21	of cargo or passengers in commerce and trade.
22	22	SECTION 3. Section 55.002, Transportation Code, is amended
23	23	by amending Subsections (a), (c), and (e) and adding Subsection (f)
24	24	to read as follows:
25	25	(a) From money in the fund, the department shall fund:
26	26	(1) port development and infrastructure [security,
27	27	transportation, or facility] projects; and
28	28	(2) maritime port studies.
29	29	(c) Port development and infrastructure [security,
30	30	transportation, or facility] projects eligible for funding under
31	31	this chapter include:
32	32	(1) construction or improvement of transportation
33	33	facilities within the jurisdiction of a maritime port;
34	34	(2) the dredging or deepening of channels, turning
35	35	basins, or harbors;
36	36	(3) the construction or improvement of wharves, docks,
37	37	structures, jetties, piers, storage facilities, cruise terminals,
38	38	or [any] facilities necessary or useful, as determined by the
39	39	committee, in connection with maritime port transportation or
40	40	economic development;
41	41	(4) the construction or improvement of facilities
42	42	necessary or useful in providing maritime port security;
43	43	(5) the acquisition of container cranes or other
44	44	mechanized equipment used in the movement of cargo or passengers in
45	45	[international] commerce and trade;
46	46	(6) the acquisition of land to be used for maritime
47	47	port purposes;
48	48	(7) the acquisition, improvement, enlargement, or
49	49	extension of existing maritime port facilities; and
50	50	(8) environmental protection projects that:
51	51	(A) are required as a condition of a state,
52	52	federal, or local environmental permit or other form of approval;
53	53	(B) are necessary for the acquisition of spoil
54	54	disposal sites and improvements to existing and future spoil sites;
55	55	or
56	56	(C) result from the undertaking of eligible
57	57	projects.
58	58	(e) The commission may use money from the Texas Mobility
59	59	Fund to provide funding for a port connectivity [access
60	60	improvement] project.
61	61	(f) An applicant eligible for funding under this section may
62	62	not receive more than 20 percent of the total amount of money
63	63	appropriated to the department in a fiscal biennium to fund the
64	64	applicant's eligible projects under this section.
65	65	SECTION 4. Section 55.005, Transportation Code, as added by
66	66	Section 1, Chapter 1268 (S.B. 1282), Acts of the 77th Legislature,
67	67	Regular Session, 2001, is reenacted and amended to read as follows:
68	68	Sec. 55.005. PORT ACCESS ACCOUNT FUND. (a) The port access
69	69	account fund is an account in the general revenue fund.
70	70	(b) The following money shall be credited to the fund:
71	71	(1) money received from gifts, grants, and donations;
72	72	[and]
73	73	(2) interest earned on deposits and investments of the
74	74	fund;
75	75	(3) money appropriated to the fund by the legislature;
76	76	and
77	77	(4) money received from the federal government.
78	78	(c) Money in the fund may be appropriated only to the
79	79	department to perform the department's powers and duties concerning
80	80	maritime port transportation and economic development under this
81	81	chapter and to pay the department's expenses incurred under this
82	82	chapter, as approved by the committee.
83	83	(c-1) Money appropriated by the legislature under
84	84	Subsection (b)(3) may only be used to fund eligible port
85	85	development and infrastructure projects under Section 55.002.
86	86	(d) The financial transactions of the fund are subject to
87	87	audit by the state auditor.
88	88	SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
89	89	______________________________ ______________________________
90	90	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
91	91	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1499 passed the Senate on
92	92	April 3, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that the
93	93	Senate concurred in House amendment on May 16, 2023, by the
94	94	following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
95	95	______________________________
96	96	Secretary of the Senate
97	97	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1499 passed the House, with
98	98	amendment, on May 11, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 131,
99	99	Nays 9, one present not voting.
100	100	______________________________
101	101	Chief Clerk of the House
102	102	Approved:
103	103	______________________________
104	104	Date
105	105	______________________________
106	106	Governor