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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the funding of certain transportation projects. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 201.623 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 201.623. PRIORITY CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS. |
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(a) The department shall designate as priority corridors highways |
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or segments of highways in the state highway system that have |
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international importance. |
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(b) A transportation project in a priority corridor |
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designated under Subsection (a) must be given priority for |
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department resources, including available funding and staff time, |
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over other department projects. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 222.1075(a)(1) and (3), Transportation |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(1) "Port authority" means: |
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(A) a port authority or navigation district |
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created or operating under Section 52, Article III, or Section 59, |
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Article XVI, Texas Constitution; or |
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(B) a municipality containing an inland port. |
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(3) "Port project" means a project that is necessary |
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or convenient for the proper operation of an inland port or a |
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maritime port or waterway and that will improve the security, |
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movement, and intermodal transportation of cargo or passengers in |
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commerce and trade, including dredging, disposal, and other |
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projects. |
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SECTION 3. Section 222.1075, Transportation Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (n) to read as follows: |
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(n) Notwithstanding any other law, a port commission may |
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designate a port authority transportation reinvestment zone for a |
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port project located outside the boundaries of the port authority |
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if: |
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(1) the port commission finds that: |
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(A) the project will benefit the property and |
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residents located in the zone; and |
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(B) the creation of the zone will serve a public |
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purpose of the designating authority; |
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(2) a zone has been designated for the same project by |
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one or more authorities in whose boundaries the project is located; |
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and |
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(3) an agreement for joint support of the designated |
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zones is entered into under this section by: |
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(A) the authority whose boundaries do not contain |
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the project; and |
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(B) one or more of the authorities that have |
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designated a zone for the project and in whose boundaries the |
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project is located. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |