Highlights of the 79th Texas Legislature - Senate

BORDER AFFAIRS AND IMMIGRATION
Binational Alcohol and Substance Abuse Task Force—H.B. 3426
By Representative Chavez et al.—Senator Sponsor: Senator Shapleigh
Differences in alcohol policies, the legal drinking age, and the standards and limitations of enforcement of United
States and Mexico laws on alcohol consumption and public intoxication have contributed to public health and public
safety concerns on both sides of the international border. This bill:
Requires the Department of State Health Services to establish a binational substance abuse task force to study
various issues related to the abuse of substances and alcohol and submit a report to the governor and the
legislature.
Border Trade Advisory Committee—S.B. 183
By Senator Lucio et al.—House Sponsors: Representatives Chavez and George "Buddy" West
The 77th Legislature, 2001, established the Border Trade Advisory Committee (committee) under the Texas
Transportation Commission (commission) to assist the commission in defining and developing a strategy and making
recommendations for addressing the highest priority border trade transportation challenges. The commission is to
consider the importance of trade with the United Mexican States, potential sources of funding for border ports, and
the value of trade activity in three Texas Department of Transportation districts adjacent to the Texas-Mexico border.
This bill:
Provides the commission with greater legislative direction in terms of the composition of the committee and requires
a biennial report to the legislature.
DPS and Mexico Meeting on Transportation and Inspection Issues—S.B. 293
By Senators Zaffirini et al.—House Sponsors: Representatives Guillen and Chavez
The delay for commercial carriers entering the United States via a land port of entry along the international border
has become a significant impediment to increased trade between Texas and Mexico. This bill:
Requires the Department of Public Safety to initiate efforts to meet with its counterparts in bordering Mexican states
to discuss issues relating to truck inspections and transportation and develop plans in conjunction with the border
commerce coordinator to recommend ways to expedite trade by mitigating delays in border crossing inspections.
Subdivision Platting Requirements on the Border—S.B. 425
By Senators Hinojosa and Ellis—House Sponsors: Representatives Luna and Seaman
Current law regulating colonias is only applicable to counties within 50 miles of the Texas-Mexico border, yet some
colonias exist outside that region. This bill:
Allows a county that is located within 100 miles of an international border and that contains a city with a population of
more than 250,000 to regulate subdivision platting requirements and utility services and receive assistance from the
state.
HIGHLIGHTS - 79 TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE 15