The Texas Senate has unanimously passed Senate Bill 28, the Texas Port Expansion Act, authored by Senator Brandon Creighton and co-authored by Senator Lois Kolkhorst, to provide opportunities for investments and enhancements at Texas Ports.
“Texas ports are estimated to be responsible for 25 percent of Texas’ gross domestic product,” said Kolkhorst . “Our ports are essential to the state’s economy, and specifically our manufacturing and energy industries. That’s why I am proud to co-author, and pass the Texas Port Expansion Act.”
Senate Bill 28 clarifies that Texas Mobility Funds can only be used for construction or improvements of public roadways that will improve connectivity to ports.
The legislation creates a ship channel improvement fund to assist in the port deepening and widening projects.
The recently passed Senate budget also includes $40 million supporting the development of roadways to transport goods to and from the ports.
Spanning nearly a third of the Texas coastline, Senator Kolkhorst’s district includes the ports of Bay City, Calhoun, Victoria and West Calhoun, the most of any Texas lawmaker.
Senate Bill 28 now moves to the Texas House for consideration.