2017S0375-T 03/03/17 By: Creighton S.B. No. 28 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the financing of ports in the state. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 55.001, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (6) to read as follows: (6) "Port access improvement project" means the construction or improvement of public roadways that will enhance connectivity to ports. SECTION 2. Section 55.002(e), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: (e) The commission may use money from the Texas Mobility Fund to provide funding for a port access improvement project[, including through a loan, for a port security project, a port transportation project, or a project eligible for funding under Subsection (c)]. SECTION 3. Subtitle A, Title 4, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Chapter 56 to read as follows: CHAPTER 56. FUNDING OF SHIP CHANNEL IMPROVEMENTS Sec. 56.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Commission" means the Texas Transportation Commission. (2) "Department" means the Texas Department of Transportation. (3) "Fund" means the ship channel improvement revolving fund. (4) "Navigation district" means a navigation district created under Section 52, Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and operating under Chapter 60, 61, 62, or 63, Water Code. Sec. 56.002. SHIP CHANNEL IMPROVEMENT REVOLVING FUND. The ship channel improvement revolving fund is an account in the general revenue fund. The fund is administered by the department. SECTION 4. 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. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017.