|  The
government relations department acts as the liaison
among the Port Authority and its local, state and federal
government stakeholders.
The department's functions include
informing and educating elected officials and regulatory
agencies on issues that affect the PHA by hosting briefing
sessions and guided tours of the port as well as responding
to requests.
On-going key issues include appropriations
for the Houston Ship Channel deepening and widening
project, grants for port security, securing funds for
transportation projects important to the port and legislation
to improve the PHA's operations and efficiency.
 Since
fiscal year 1998, the port, working with our Harris
County delegation and senators in Washington, has successfully
attracted more than $525 million in federal appropriations.
These funds assist the Port of Houston Authority with
integral projects such as the Houston Ship Channel widening
and deepening, port security grants from the Transportation
Security Administration, maintenance dredging of the
Houston Ship Channel, the NOAA’s PORTS navigation
system, SAFETEA-LU intermodal transportation projects
and various other projects associated with the port.
On the state level, the port has successfully
worked with our Harris County delegation in Austin the
last three sessions to pass legislation:
| • |
Allowing the creation
of the Port of Houston Authority International Corporation
to sell our expertise to foreign ports. |
| • |
Exempting green coffee and raw
cocoa stored in Harris County from inventory taxes. |
• |
Allowing the port to send information
about our Small Business Development Program to
prospective vendors in bid packages. |
| • |
Authorizing purchases for more
than $25,000 during emergencies to protect the port,
without going through normal procurement procedures. |
| • |
Protecting the port’s sensitive
security information from disclosure. |
| • |
Allowing 30-year leases of port
property. |
| • |
Supporting the start and funding
of the Texas Emission Reduction Program to help
the Houston region meet the clean air goals of the
State Implementation Plan. |
| • |
Allowing Texas ports to use devices
to electronically read the magnetic strip on drivers’
licenses in order to provide a temporary pass to
port visitors. |
| • |
Allowing ports to contract directly
with the federal and state governments for goods
and services. This is particularly helpful for port
security purchases and jointly contracting on dredging
projects. |
| • |
Modifying existing laws authorizing
the creation of a freight rail district in Harris
County and surrounding counties to solve community
mobility issues associated with at-grade rail crossings
and safety. |
The port had many more legislative
success stories as a result of the 79th Texas Legislature.
Read about the new laws that benefit your port.
79th Legislative Session (PDF format, 367 KB)
78th Legislative
Session (PDF format, 819 KB)
77th Legislative
Session (PDF format, 103 KB)
Port
of Houston Authority
111 East Loop North • Houston, Texas 77029
P.O. Box 2562 • Houston, Texas 77252-2562
Phone: 713-670-2400
Copyright 2006 Port of
Houston Authority • All Rights Reserved
For questions and comments, send an e-mail.
Please include company name and phone number, when appropriate,
so we may better respond to your inquiry.
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