The commission must carry out a list of border-region functions, including coordination, study, planning, and recommendations, and it may meet yearly with specified Mexican state representatives at the Border Governors Conference.
Sec. 490B.004. FUNCTIONS OF COMMISSION. (a) The commission shall: (1) represent government agencies within the Texas-Mexico border region to help reduce regulations by improving communication and cooperation between federal, state, and local governments; (2) examine trade issues between the United States and Mexico; (3) study the flow of commerce at ports of entry between this state and Mexico, including the movement of commercial vehicles across the border, and establish a plan to aid that commerce and improve the movement of those vehicles; (4) work with federal officials to resolve transportation issues involving infrastructure, including roads and bridges, to allow for the efficient movement of goods and people across the border between Texas and Mexico; (5) work with federal officials to create a unified federal agency process to streamline border crossing needs; (6) identify problems involved with border truck inspections and related trade and transportation infrastructure; (7) work to increase funding for the North American Development Bank to assist in the financing of water and wastewater facilities; (8) explore the sale of excess electric power from Texas to Mexico; (9) identify areas of environmental protection that need to be addressed cooperatively between Texas and the Mexican states; (10) identify common challenges to health care on which all states can collaborate; and (11) develop recommendations, when possible, for addressing border challenges. (b) The commission shall work with local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and other appropriate community organizations in the Texas Department of Transportation's Pharr, Laredo, and El Paso transportation districts, and with comparable entities in Mexican states bordering those districts, to address the unique planning and capacity needs of those areas. The commission shall assist those governments, organizations, and entities to identify and develop initiatives to address those needs. (c) The commission shall work with industries and communities on both sides of the Texas-Mexico border to develop international industry cluster initiatives to capitalize on resources available in communities located adjacent to each other across the border. (d) The commission may meet at least once a year with representatives from the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas during the Border Governors Conference to discuss issues and challenges of the Texas-Mexico border region and develop strategic collaborative approaches for addressing the challenges. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1215 (H.B. 925), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005. Renumbered from Government Code, Section 490.004 by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 921 (H.B. 3167), Sec. 17.001(31), eff. September 1, 2007.