Bill Text: TX HCR80 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Comm Sub

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Requesting the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives to create a joint interim committee to study the effects on international trade of wait times at points of entry between the United States and Mexico.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2013-06-14 - Signed by the Governor [HCR80 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HCR80-Comm_Sub.html

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By: Anchia (Senate Sponsor - Carona) H.C.R. No. 80
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 20, 2013;
May 20, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Business
and Commerce; May 21, 2013, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 21, 2013, sent to printer.)

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Since the implementation of the North American Free
Trade Agreement in 1994, trade between the United States and Mexico
has risen dramatically, and as the volume of goods crossing the
border has increased, so have wait times at points of entry; and
WHEREAS, Mexico is our state's largest trade partner and the
nation's third-largest trade partner; in 2012, more than $229
billion in trade passed through the Laredo customs district and
over $86 billion passed through the El Paso customs district;
moreover, the United States and Mexican economies are profoundly
linked because many products are manufactured jointly in Mexico and
the United States, and materials and parts often cross back and
forth between factories on each side of the border during assembly;
and
WHEREAS, The free flow of commerce across the Mexican border
is of critical importance, but the capacity of the ports of entry to
accommodate the increase in traffic has not kept pace with the
expansion of trade; long and unpredictable wait times leave
vehicles idling for hours during peak times, having a negative
impact on the environment and the health of people living near the
border, as well as on the economy; and
WHEREAS, Congestion at points of entry along the border costs
the United States and Mexico billions of dollars each year, and
increasing efficiency at these crucial corridors would be a
tremendous benefit to the prosperity of our state and nation; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house
of representatives to create a joint interim committee to study the
effects on international trade of wait times at Texas points of
entry between the United States and Mexico; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including
findings and recommendations, to the 84th Texas Legislature when it
convenes in January 2015.
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