1. (a) Aviation Advisory Committee.

   1. (1) Purpose. Created pursuant to Transportation Code, §21.003, the Aviation Advisory Committee provides a direct link for general aviation users' input into the Texas Airport System. The committee provides a forum for exchange of information concerning the users' view of the needs and requirements for the economic development of the aviation system. The members of the committee are an avenue for interested parties to utilize to voice their concerns and have that data conveyed for action for system improvement. Additionally, committee members are representatives of the department and its Aviation Division, able to furnish data on resources available to the Texas aviation users.

   2. (2) Duties. The committee shall:

      1. (A) periodically review the adopted capital improvement program;
      2. (B) advise the commission on the preparation and adoption of an aviation facilities development program;
      3. (C) advise the commission on the establishment and maintenance of a method for determining priorities among locations and projects to receive state financial assistance for aviation facility development;
      4. (D) advise the commission on the preparation and update of a multi-year aviation facilities capital improvement program; and
      5. (E) perform other duties as determined by order of the commission.
   3. (3) Meetings. The committee shall meet once a calendar year and such other times as requested by the Aviation Division Director.
   4. (4) Duration. The committee is abolished September 1, 2001, unless continued in existence by affirmative vote of the commission.

2. (b) Household Goods Carriers Advisory Committee.

   1. (1) Purpose. The Household Goods Carriers Advisory Committee provides a forum for household goods carriers and the general public to provide input into modernizing and streamlining department rules adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6675c, §8(c), which are designed to protect customers of household goods movers from deceptive or unfair practices and unreasonably hazardous activities on the part of movers. The committee, with representation from the regulated community, the general public, and the department, helps ensure effective communication among interested parties and valuable input into modernizing and streamlining department rules affecting household goods carriers and their customers.

   2. (2) Duties. The committee shall:

      1. (A) examine the rules adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6675c, §8(c) and advise the department on methods of modernizing and streamlining such rules;
      2. (B) conduct a study of the feasibility and necessity of requiring any vehicle liability insurance for household goods carriers required to register under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6675c, §8;
      3. (C) recommend a maximum level of liability for loss or damage of household goods carriers required to register under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6675c, §8, not to exceed 60 cents per pound; and
      4. (D) perform other duties as assigned by the Motor Carrier Division Director.
   3. (3) Meetings. The committee shall meet at the request of the Motor Carrier Division Director.
   4. (4) Duration. The committee is abolished September 1, 2001, unless continued in existence by affirmative vote of the commission.
   5. (5) Rulemaking. Section 1.84 of this title (relating to Rulemaking) does not apply to the Household Goods Carrier Advisory Committee.

3. (c) Public Transportation Advisory Committee.

   1. (1) Purpose. Created pursuant to Transportation Code, §455.004, the Public Transportation Advisory Committee provides a forum for the exchange of information between the department, the commission, and committee members representing the transit industry and the general public. Advice and recommendations expressed by the committee provide the department and the commission with a broader perspective regarding public transportation matters that will be considered in formulating department policies.

   2. (2) Duties. The committee shall:

      1. (A) advise the commission on the needs and problems of the state's public transportation providers, including recommending methods for allocating state public transportation funds if the allocation methodology is not specified by statute;
      2. (B) comment on proposed rules or rule changes involving public transportation matters during their development and prior to final adoption unless an emergency requires immediate action by the commission; and
      3. (C) perform other duties as determined by order of the commission.

   3. (3) Meetings. The committee shall meet:

      1. (A) as necessary, at the call of its chair, but not exceeding once each month;
      2. (B) at the request of the commission; and
      3. (C) as required by §1.84 of this title (relating to Rulemaking).

   4. (4) Public transportation technical committees.

      1. (A) The Public Transportation Advisory Committee may appoint one or more technical committees to advise it on specific issues, such as vehicle specifications, funding allocation methodologies, training and technical assistance programs, and level of service planning.
      2. (B) A technical committee shall report any findings and recommendations to the Public Transportation Advisory Committee.
   5. (5) Duration. The committee is abolished September 1, 2001, unless continued in existence by affirmative vote of the commission.

4. (d) Vehicle Storage Facility/Tow Truck Rules Advisory Committee.

   1. (1) Purpose. Created pursuant to Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6675c, the purpose of the Vehicle Storage Facility/Tow Truck Rules Advisory Committee is to advise the department on the development of rules concerning the registration of tow trucks under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6675c, and the administration of the Vehicle Storage Facility Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6687-9a. The committee, with representation from the regulated community, law enforcement, and the general public, helps ensure effective communication among interested parties and valuable input into the development of rules affecting the tow truck industry.

   2. (2) Duties. The committee shall advise the department on the adoption of rules regarding:

      1. (A) the application of Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6675c to tow trucks; and
      2. (B) the administration by the department of the Vehicle Storage Facility Act.

   3. (3) Meetings. The committee shall meet:

      1. (A) at the request of the Motor Carrier Division Director; and
      2. (B) as required by §1.84 of this title (relating to Rulemaking).
   4. (4) Duration. The committee is abolished September 1, 2001, unless continued in existence by affirmative vote of the commission.

5. (e) Port Authority Advisory Committee.

   1. (1) Purpose. Created pursuant to Transportation Code, §53.001, the purpose of the Port Authority Advisory Committee is to provide a forum for the exchange of information between the commission, the department, and committee members representing the port industry in Texas and others who have an interest in ports. The committee's advice and recommendations will provide the commission and the department with a broad perspective regarding ports and transportation-related matters to be considered in formulating department policies concerning the Texas port system.

   2. (2) Duties. The committee shall:

      1. (A) advise the commission and the department on matters relating to port authorities, including:

         1. (i) intermodal and multimodal transportation issues relating to Texas waterways, ports, and port improvements, including other issues affecting port access and infrastructure needs; and
         2. (ii) the identification, development, and implementation of potential funding mechanisms, including the state infrastructure bank, for addressing the issues described by clause (i) of this subparagraph; and
      2. (B) perform other duties as determined by the commission or the executive director or his or her designee.
   3. (3) Meeting. The committee shall meet at least once a calendar year and such other times as requested by the commission, the executive director or his or her designee. The chair may request the department to call a meeting.

   4. (4) Subcommittees.

      1. (A) The Port Authority Advisory Committee may appoint one or more subcommittees to provide advice on specific issues.
      2. (B) A subcommittee shall report any findings and recommendations to the Port Authority Advisory Committee chair.
   5. (5) Duration. The committee is abolished on September 1, 2001, unless continued in existence by affirmative vote of the commission.

Source Note:The provisions of this §1.83 adopted to be effective January 13, 1994, 19 TexReg 89; amended to be effective May 19, 1995, 20 TexReg 3344; amended to be effective September 22, 1995, 20 TexReg 7079; amended to be effective August 25, 1997, 22 TexReg 7508; amended to be effective June 21, 1998, 23 TexReg 6250.