85R10087 JAM-D     By: Oliveira H.B. No. 2199       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of a seaport preliminary studies   grant program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 156.251(d), Tax Code, is amended to read   as follows:          (d)  An amount equal to the amount of revenue derived from   the collection of taxes imposed by this chapter at a rate of   one-half of one percent shall be allocated in the general revenue   fund to be used for:                (1)  media advertising and other marketing activities   of the Tourism Division of the Texas Department of Commerce; and                (2)  the seaport preliminary studies grant program   established under Section 55.0031, Transportation Code.  [Section   403.094(h), Government Code, does not apply to funds described in   this section. This subsection takes effect October 1, 1994.]          SECTION 2.  Chapter 55, Transportation Code, is amended by   adding Section 55.0031 to read as follows:          Sec. 55.0031.  SEAPORT PRELIMINARY STUDIES GRANT PROGRAM.   The department by rule shall establish a program to provide grants   for use in conducting preliminary studies or obtaining permits that   may be required of the grant recipient to receive additional   financial assistance for a port security, transportation, or   facility project.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.