By: Canales, Burrows, Moody, Geren, H.B. No. 4422       King of Uvalde, et al.     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study on enhancing border security outcomes through   public safety, technological, and transportation infrastructure   improvements near Texas-Mexico border crossings.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  DEFINITION. In this Act, "department" means the   Texas Department of Transportation.          SECTION 2.  STUDY. (a) The department shall conduct a study   on public safety, border security, and transportation   infrastructure from Texas-Mexico border crossings onto the state   highway system to ensure safe, efficient, and streamlined   commercial motor vehicle connectivity that amplify Operation Lone   Star efforts.          (b)  The department shall conduct the study in consultation   with:                (1)  the Department of Public Safety of the State of   Texas;                (2)  the Texas Military Department;                (3)  the Texas A&M Transportation Institute;                (4)  local law enforcement agencies near the   Texas-Mexico border;                (5)  representatives of county government from at least   three noncontiguous counties that are:                      (A)  adjacent to this state's international   border with Mexico; or                      (B)  adjacent to a county described by Paragraph   (A) of this subdivision;                (6)  representatives of the transportation industry   determined relevant by the department; and                (7)  an independent nonprofit applied research and   development organization selected by the department.          (c)  As part the study, the department shall:                (1)  select multiple Texas-Mexico international border   crossings that serve commercial vehicles, as determined by the   department;                (2)  analyze current transportation routes for   commercial vehicles from border crossings selected under   Subdivision (1) of this subsection onto the state highway system   and identify ways to:                      (A)  strengthen border security initiatives that   support Operation Lone Star or similar state security efforts;                      (B)  support law enforcement response efforts   near border crossings to maximize:                            (i)  oversight of border crossings;                            (ii)  inspection of vehicles using the   border crossing; and                            (iii)  use of public safety resources;                      (C)  enhance transportation infrastructure and   road technology near border crossings to:                            (i)  maximize the safety of communities   located near the border and people using the highways near the   border; and                            (ii)  improve transportation efficiency and   commercial motor vehicle connectivity; and                      (D)  reduce traffic congestion along   transportation routes while mitigating safety concerns;                (3)  consider possible future transportation routes   that will:                      (A)  improve efficiency in the movement of   commercial motor vehicles from border crossings onto the state   highway system; and                      (B)  enhance public safety, mitigate traffic   congestion, and streamline commercial motor vehicle connectivity;                (4)  assess current technologies used to promote border   security efforts at commercial inspection facilities at or near   border crossings and identify upgrades to existing technologies or   alternative technologies that may improve border security efforts;   and                (5)  identify funding strategies and determine the   amount of state money needed to improve the processing and flow of   commercial motor vehicles at border crossings and improve   transportation efficiency and commercial motor vehicle   connectivity.          SECTION 3.  REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2024, the   department shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor,   and the legislature a written report on the findings of the study   conducted under this Act and any recommendations of the department.   The report must include a review of the anticipated effects of the   security and public safety improvements recommended by the study on   international trade efforts with Mexico.          SECTION 4.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2025.          SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2023.