Bill: SB 28, 85(R) - 2017
Committee
Senate Transportation
2nd Chamber Committee
House Select Committee on Texas Ports, Innovation, & Infrastructure
Companion Bill
HB 4021
Vote Recommendation
| Vote Recommendation |
Economic Freedom |
Property Rights |
Personal Responsibility |
Limited Government |
Individual Liberty |
| Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Author(s)
Brandon Creighton
Co-Author(s)
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Lois Kolkhorst
Larry Taylor
Sponsor(s)
Joe Deshotel
Bill Caption
Relating to the financing of ports in the state.
Fiscal Notes
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB28, Committee
Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($59,000,000) through the biennium ending
August 31, 2019.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of
funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Bill Analysis
Under current law the Texas Mobility Fund can be used for a port security, transportation, or facility project including a maritime port study. SB 28 would amend the Transportation Code so as to restrict use of Mobility Funds to only those projects that will construct or improve public roadways that will enhance connectivity to ports. This bill would also create the Ship Channel Improvement Revolving Fund.
Vote Recommendation Notes
Shipping channels are ports are waterways of the state and are critical common use infrastructure to our economy. As such they fall into the legitimate transportation function of the state.
Our primary concern with this bill is the substantial cost being incurred to establish a loan program. Being a critical function of government, we believe it is inappropriate to use a loan type program for these types of cost. Once upon a time our transportation system was a pay as you go system which is more responsible way of funding these types of projects.
Because of these conflicting provisions on our principles, we remain neutral on SB 28.
Organizations Supporting
City of Corpus Christi
Texas Association of Business
Texas Association of Manufacturers
Texas Oil and Gas Association
Valero
