(a) Aviation Advisory Committee.
  (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) Membership. The commission will appoint nine members to staggered terms of three years with three members' terms expiring August 31 of each year. A majority of the members of the committee must have five years of successful experience as an aircraft pilot, an aircraft facilities manager, or a fixed-base operator. A member may not serve more than three consecutive terms on the committee.
  (3) Duties. The committee shall:
    (A) periodically review the adopted capital improvement program;
    (B) advise the commission on the preparation and adoption of an aviation facilities development program;
    (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;
    (D) advise the commission on the preparation and update of a multi-year aviation facilities capital improvement program; and
    (E) perform other duties as determined by order of the commission.
  (4) Meetings. The committee shall meet once a calendar year and such other times as requested by the Aviation Division Director.
  (5) Rulemaking. Section 1.83 of this subchapter (relating to Rulemaking) does not apply to the Aviation Advisory Committee.
(b) Public Transportation Advisory Committee.
  (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) Membership. Members of the Public Transportation Advisory Committee shall be appointed and shall serve pursuant to Transportation Code, §455.004.
  (3) Duties. The committee shall:
    (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;
    (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;
    (C) advise the commission on the implementation of Transportation Code, Chapter 461; and
    (D) perform other duties as determined by order of the commission.
  (4) Meetings. The committee shall meet as requested by the commission or the division designated under §1.82(f) of this subchapter (relating to Statutory Advisory Committee Operations and Procedures).
  (5) Public transportation technical committees.
    (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.
    (B) A technical committee shall report any findings and recommendations to the Public Transportation Advisory Committee.
(c) Port Authority Advisory Committee.
  (1) Purpose. Created pursuant to Transportation Code, §55.006, 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 maritime port industry in Texas and others who have an interest in maritime ports. The committee's advice and recommendations will provide the commission and the department with a broad perspective regarding maritime ports and transportation-related matters to be considered in formulating department policies concerning the Texas maritime port system.
  (2) Membership. Members shall be appointed pursuant to Transportation Code, §55.006. Members appointed by the commission serve staggered three-year terms unless removed sooner at the discretion of the commission.
  (3) Duties. The committee shall:
    (A) prepare a maritime port mission plan, in accordance with Transportation Code, §55.008 and submit the plan to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives and commission not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year;
    (B) review each project eligible to be funded under Transportation Code, Chapter 55, and make recommendations for approval or disapproval to the department; and
    (C) advise the commission and the department on matters relating to port authorities.
  (4) Meeting. The committee shall meet at least semiannually and such other times as requested by the commission, the executive director, or the executive director's designee. The chair may request the department to call a meeting.
(d) Border Trade Advisory Committee.
  (1) Purpose. Created pursuant to Transportation Code, §201.114, the Border Trade Advisory Committee provides a forum for the exchange of communications among the commission, the department, the governor, and committee members representing border trade interests. The committee's advice and recommendations will provide the governor, the commission, and the department with a broad perspective regarding the effect of transportation choices on border trade in general and on particular communities. The members of the committee also provide an avenue for interested parties to express opinions with regard to border trade issues.
  (2) Membership. The border commerce coordinator designated under Government Code, §772.010, shall serve as the chair of the committee. The commission will appoint the other members of the committee in accordance with Transportation Code, §201.114. The commission will appoint members to staggered three-year terms expiring on August 31 of each year, except that the commission may establish terms of less than three years for some members in order to stagger terms.
  (3) Duties. The committee shall:
    (A) define and develop a strategy for identifying and addressing the highest priority border trade transportation challenges;
    (B) make recommendations to the commission regarding ways in which to address the highest priority border trade transportation challenges;
    (C) advise the commission on methods for determining priorities among competing projects affecting border trade; and
    (D) perform other duties as determined by the commission, the executive director, or the executive director's designee.
  (4) Meetings. The committee shall meet at least once a calendar year. The dates and times of meetings shall be set by the committee. The committee shall also meet at the request of the department.
  (5) Rulemaking. Sections 1.82(i) and 1.83 of this subchapter do not apply to the Border Trade Advisory Committee.
(e) I-27 Advisory Committee.
  (1) Purpose. Created pursuant to Transportation Code, §201.623, the purpose of the I-27 Advisory Committee, as stated in subsection (b) of that section, is to provide the department with information on concerns and interests along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor, which is specified in Transportation Code, §225.069, and advise the department on transportation improvements impacting the Ports-to-Plains Corridor.
  (2) Membership. Composition of the committee is provided by Transportation Code, §201.623(c) and (d). A member serves in accordance with §201.623(e). The chair and vice-chair of the committee are elected in accordance with §201.623(g).
  (3) Duty. The duty of committee is to provide to the department the information and advice on the Ports-to-Plains Corridor for which it was formed.
  (4) Meeting. In accordance with Transportation Code, §201.623(h), the committee shall meet at least twice each state fiscal year and at other times, as requested by the department or the chair.
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