TITLE: Relating to the I-27 Advisory Committee.

SUMMARY: Relating to the I-27 Advisory Committee.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the I-27 Advisory Committee. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 201.623 to read as follows: Sec. 201.623. I-27 ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) In this section: (1) "Advisory committee" means the I-27 Advisory Committee established under this section. (2) "Feasibility study" means the study on the Ports-to-Plains Corridor conducted by the department as required by Chapter 756 (H.B. 1079), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019. (3) "Ports-to-Plains Corridor" means the highways designated as the Ports-to-Plains Corridor under Section 225.069. (b) The I-27 Advisory Committee is established to: (1) provide the department with an enhanced understanding of public, business, and private concerns relating to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor; (2) facilitate the department's communications and project development objectives relating to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor; and (3) encourage greater cooperation between the department and affected parties during the planning and development of projects relating to the Ports-to-Plains Corridor. (c) The advisory committee shall regularly provide advice and recommendations to the department on transportation improvements to be made in the Ports-to-Plains Corridor, including on: (1) facilities to be included in a development plan for the Ports-to-Plains Corridor; (2) upgrades and other improvements to be made to existing facilities located in the Ports-to-Plains Corridor; and (3) other corridor-level planning and development matters as requested by the department. (d) In developing advice and recommendations, the advisory committee shall: (1) evaluate economic, political, societal, and demographic population trends affecting transportation; and (2) consider existing facilities, upgrades to existing facilities, new and planned facilities, multimodal solutions, and available financing options. (e) The advisory committee is composed of: (1) three county judges representing counties along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor to be selected based on geographic segments that were established for the feasibility study; (2) the mayors of Amarillo, Midland, Lubbock, San Angelo, Del Rio, and Laredo; (3) three economic development professionals to be selected based on geographic segments that were established for the feasibility study; (4) one business representative from the agriculture industry; (5) one business representative from the international trade industry; (6) one business representative from the energy industry; (7) one member from a metropolitan planning organization representing a region along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor; and (8) one member of the state legislature. (f) The members of the advisory committee described by Subsection (e)(2) shall appoint the remaining members of the advisory committee by majority vote. (g) An advisory committee member serves until the member: (1) ceases to hold the underlying position that qualifies the member for service on the committee; or (2) resigns. (h) A vacancy on the advisory committee is filled: (1) for a vacancy for a position qualified under Subsection (e)(2), by the person holding the elected position vacated by the former member; and (2) for any other position, by majority vote of the advisory committee members described by Subsection (e)(2). (i) The advisory committee shall elect by majority vote of the committee: (1) a chair to serve as the committee's presiding officer; and (2) a vice-chair to serve as the committee's presiding officer in the absence of the chair. (j) The advisory committee shall meet at least once each calendar year and at such other times as requested by the department or the chair. The advisory committee may meet remotely or by teleconference as determined by the chair or the department. (k) An advisory committee member is not entitled to receive compensation for service on the committee or reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of official duties as a member of the committee. (l) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the advisory committee. SECTION 2. (a) The members of the I-27 Advisory Committee established under Section 201.623, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, described by Section 201.623(e)(2), Transportation Code, as added by this Act, shall make the appointments required by that section not later than October 1, 2021. (b) The I-27 Advisory Committee established under Section 201.623, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, shall meet on or before the 30th day after the completion of appointments under Subsection (a) of this section. SECTION 3. 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.