Senate Committee on Infrastructure Development and Security
NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 78th Legislative Session.
Committee Information
CHAIR
Todd Staples
VICE-CHAIR
Gonzalo Barrientos
MEMBERS
Kim Brimer
Rodney Ellis
Jon Lindsay
Frank L. Madla
Florence Shapiro
Eliot Shapleigh
Jeff Wentworth
CLERK:
Patricia Gajda
TEL:
(512) 463-0067
Video/Audio — Archives
78th Session Interim
- October 28, 2004 – * audio issues
- August 13, 2004 – Joint Hearing with Business & Commerce Committee
- May 5, 2004
- May 4, 2004
- April 14, 2004
- April 13, 2004
- April 13, 2004 – Joint Hearing with Finance Committee
78th Third Called Session
78th First Called Session
- July 22, 2003
- July 18, 2003
- July 16, 2003 [ AM - PM ]
- July 9, 2003 – Afternoon meeting
- July 9, 2003
78th Regular Session
- May 26, 2003 [ AM - PM ]
- May 23, 2003
- May 22, 2003
- May 22, 2003 – Special Select Subcommittee
- May 21, 2003 [ AM - PM ]
- May 19, 2003 [ AM - PM ]
- May 15, 2003 [ AM - PM ]
- May 12, 2003
- May 8, 2003
- May 7, 2003 [ AM - PM ]
- May 5, 2003 [ AM - PM ] – Special Select Subcommittee
- May 5, 2003
- May 2, 2003
- May 1, 2003 [ AM - PM ]
- April 28, 2003 [ AM - PM ]
- April 23, 2003
- April 22, 2003 – Special Select Subcommittee
- April 14, 2003
- April 10, 2003 – Special Select Subcommittee
- April 7, 2003
- April 3, 2003
- March 31, 2003
- March 27, 2003 – Special Select Subcommittee
- March 24, 2003
- March 17, 2003
- March 10, 2003
- March 4, 2003 – Special Select Subcommittee
- March 3, 2003
- February 24, 2003
- February 17, 2003
- February 10, 2003
- February 3, 2003
Written Testimony Submissions and Handouts
May 4 & 5, 2004
- Donald Michael Coy, State Farm Corporate Systems
- Mike Heiligenstein, Executive Director Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority
- Dennis Kearns, Legislative Counsel for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company
- G. Richard Kasteler President, CEO Insure-Rite, Inc.
- Judge Robert Eckels: Alliance for I-69 Texas
- Judge John P. Thompson: Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition
- Mayor Joe Wardy, City of El Paso
- Online Insurance Verification Using Web Services to Verify Auto Insurance Coverage
- State Compairsons of Insurance Verification Programs
- Texas Department of Health: Designated Trauma Facility and Emergency Medical Services Account Implementation of HB-3588
- Texas Department of Transportation: Implementation of HB 3588
- Texas Department of Transportation: Implementation of the Trans-Texas Corridor
- Texas Department of Transportation: Innovative Practices
- Texas Department of Transportation: TEA 21 Reauthorization
- Texas Department of Transportation: TxDOT Austin District Toll Initiatives
- Texas Department of Public Safety: Driver Responsibility Program
- Texas Department of Public Safety: Regulations Governing Hazardous Materials
- Texas Department of Public Safety: Regulations Governing Transportation Safety
- Texas Department of Public Safety: Insurance Feasibility Study
- United Services Automobile Association: Other States Financial Responsibility Verification Programs
Reports
The following reports are available for download:
- The following items are the Senate Committee on Infrastructure Development and Security Interim Reports to the 79th Legislature
- Homeland Security (1.1 MB, PDF format)
- Transportation (700 KB, PDF format)
- Security and Reliability of the Electric System in Texas (812 KB, PDF format)
Interim Charges
- Study the implementation and make recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of HB 3588 relating to the construction, acquisition, financing, maintenance, management, operation, ownership, and control of transportation facilities including, but not limited to, multimodal transportation and the progress, improvement, policing, and safety of transportation in Texas. Monitor and report on the adequacy and use of the trauma care funds generated as a result of the legislation and make recommendations for improving the funding of trauma care services.
- Study the proof of financial responsibility verification program administered by Texas Department of Insurance and the Department of Public Safety and make recommendations for improving compliance by drivers in Texas.
- Study and make recommendations for innovative approaches to highway construction and maintenance. Focus on recommendations for streamlining Texas Department of Transportation operations, including methods of expediting permitting procedures while maintaining environmental safeguards. Examine and make recommendations for regional options for increasing financing, including, but not limited to, the creation of a local option motor fuels tax.
- Evaluate and make recommendations relating to funding allocations for TransTexas Corridor projects. Monitor and report on the status of the projects, including their impact on local, regional, and state transportation.
- Study the federal re-authorization of TEA-21. Analyze and make recommendations relating to the impact of re-authorization on transportation in Texas, including an assessment of state plans and programs for implementing any required changes.
- Study and report on the distribution of federal funds to Texas through the Governor's Office, state agencies, and directly to local units of government for homeland security measures, including but not limited to, public health and welfare, safety, awareness, and the subsequent use of any funds that might be awarded. Make recommendations relating to the development of a method for tracking this information across jurisdictions and state programs. Evaluate the allocation and efficient use of future federal funds to the state and local governments and identify opportunities to enhance current state funding for homeland security and other measures.
- Evaluate state and local efforts to enhance the security of Texans and make recommendations for improving Texas' ability to detect, deter, and respond to acts of terrorism, including state plans and programs for addressing bioterrorism. Regarding bioterrorism events, the Committee shall focus on early detection of an incident, reporting of information from local health entities, and ability to organize and administer a mass vaccination. Make recommendations relating to improvements to state and local communications networks and develop innovative methods for sharing federal, state, and local information.
- Study the issue of interoperable communications for first responders. The Committee shall assess the status of this capability and evaluate available technology and costs. In addition, the Committee shall explore pilot programs and proposals by entities such as DPS and the Sheriff's Association, who have been working to assess new technologies and the cost of implementation of systems to assist in effective communication between all parts of the state.
- Study the issues associated with consular identification cards ("Matricula Consular"), with particular attention to security and verifiability, banking access, local law enforcement relations, and driver's license issuance. Review current FBI reports on security and verifiability. Consider the implications that acceptance of the card on a state or local level would have on federal immigration policy and homeland security.
Joint Interim Charge with the Senate Business & Commerce Committee
- Study the possibility of whether a system failure in Texas could occur in a manner similar to the blackout that occurred in the northeastern United States. Include a review of the Texas electric system and make recommendations on ways to enhance the security and stability of the system. Review industry plans and procedures and determine their effectiveness in responding to system disruption. Study the transmission and distribution system in Texas and make recommendations on the policies to plan for and promote investment in future transmission needs.
- Coordinate Texas activities with those of the federal government, neighboring states and Mexico to ensure consistent system planning and responses. This study shall include non-ERCOT areas of Texas.
