BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2343
87R8642 MTB-D	By: Geren; Morales, Eddie (Whitmire)
	Criminal Justice
	5/7/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) under current statute does not have the explicit authority to purchase food or beverage for DPS personnel who have been activated to provide services in response to an emergency situation, incident, or disaster. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) previously held this authority while TDEM operated under the authority of DPS, but legislation transferring TDEM to The Texas A&M University System inadvertently removed that authority from DPS. The result has caused resulting issues during emergencies of the past year.

H.B. 2343 seeks to remedy the situation by authorizing DPS to purchase and provide food and beverages for its personnel responding to emergency situations, incidents, or disasters.

H.B. 2343 amends the Government Code to authorize DPS to use appropriated funds to purchase food and beverages for a person who is activated to provide services in response to an emergency situation, incident, or disaster, and who is unable to leave or required to remain at the person's assignment area due to the emergency situation, incident, or disaster.

H.B. 2343 amends current law relating to the purchase of food and beverages by the Department of Public Safety for certain persons.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 411.0132, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 411.0132. New heading: USE OF FUNDS TO SUPPORT CERTAIN PERSONS. Authorizes the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) to use appropriated funds to purchase food and beverages for:

(1) makes conforming changes to this subdivision; and

(2) a person who is activated to provide services in response to an emergency situation, incident, or disaster and who is unable to leave or required to remain at the person's assignment area due to the emergency situation, incident, or disaster.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021. �