Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

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BORDER AFFAIRS
77 th Texas Legislature
Texas, the United Mexican States, and Transportation - S.B. 224
by Senators Shapleigh and Lucio
House Sponsor: Representative Noriega
With the advent of NAFTA and the increase in truck traffic, Texas highways, bridges, and the entire
infrastructure face major transportation issues. Input from the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT) and their counterparts from the United Mexican States on these issues is needed.
Requires TxDOT, to the extent possible, to meet at least semiannually with the relevant group from Mexico
to discuss transportation and infrastructure issues.
Economic Plans Between Texas and the United Mexican States - S.B. 326
by Senators Lucio and Shapleigh
House Sponsor: Representative Solis
Requires the Texas Department of Economic Development (TDED) to appoint at least one TDED
representative and one staff person from certain agencies and offices to serve on the Texas-Mexico
Commerce and International Relations Initiative Unit.
Authorizes the plan to include both short-term recommendations and initiatives for certain periods of time,
regarding, for instance, increased and improved trade with Mexico and the states that border this state.
Living Wage Rates on the Border - S.B. 350
by Senators Truan and Lucio
House Sponsor: Representative Oliveira
Along the Texas-Mexico border, the prevailing wage rates for many construction trade jobs are below the
poverty level.
Authorizes a school district, located in a county within 50 miles of the border and where the general
prevailing wage rate is less than the poverty rate, to include in its construction bid requests the requirement
that contractors pay a living wage and include the wage rate in the bid request and contracts.
Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council and NAFTA - S.B. 424
by Senator Shapleigh
House Sponsor: Representative Coleman
The Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council (council) prepares and reviews a proposed state health
plan every six years, updating the plan biennially. However, the effects of growth in trade, transportation,
the economy, and population resulting from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are not
taken into consideration. The impact of these changes affects the entire state.
Requires the Texas Department of Health (TDH), with assistance from the Health and Human Services
Commission, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, and the University of Texas School
Senate Research Center 23