Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 9 gives the governor the duties of directing Texas homeland security, developing a statewide homeland security strategy, and allocating and reviewing homeland security grants and funding. The bill creates the Critical Infrastructure Protection Council as an interagency advisory entity administered by the governor and authorizes the governor to appoint additional special advisory committees composed of representatives from state and local agencies and nongovernmental entities not represented on the council. It establishes a Texas Infrastructure Protection Communications Center, administered by the Department of Public Safety (DPS), and makes the DPS the repository for multijurisdictional criminal intelligence information related to homeland security. The bill modifies eligibility for the Texas State Guard and establishes the role of the guard in homeland security and community service activities. It requires pharmacists to report unusual incidents or trends that might suggest bioterrorism or serious disease outbreaks, and adds emergency medical service personnel, peace officers, and firefighters to those required to report suspected cases of reportable diseases. Confidentiality provisions relate to critical infrastructure, security systems, risk and vulnerability assessments, encryption codes and security keys, weapons construction and assembly, reports to the federal government on acts of terrorism and related criminal activity, and the tactical plans, staffing requirements, and contact numbers of emergency response providers. Other provisions address issues of liability relating to the performance of homeland security activities. The bill establishes September 11 as Texas First Responders Day to honor Texans who assist others in emergencies.