BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 158 By: Kamel 04-20-95 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a nationwide organization that provides emergency services resources and a national network of radio communications. The CAP assists in lost aircraft incidents, natural disasters, hazardous materials spills, radiological accidents, missing persons, and any non-law enforcement situation that can benefit from experienced airborne assets. In addition CAP has been heavily utilized in recent years to help patrol the Texas-Mexico border to locate clandestine landing strips, marijuana patches and drug labs. In Texas there are some 2500 trained members and 26 specially equipped search and rescue aircraft supplemented by dozens of member-owned or rented planes. Federal agencies (Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, DEA, Customs, and US Forest Service) reimburse CAP and its members for "out-of-pocket" expenses when a mission is requested by them. Most assistance at the local level is funded from CAP members or local donors. The CAP capabilities are vital in that they provide air and ground assistance at a fraction of the cost of state helicopters or fixed-wing planes, are strategically located in all areas of the state, and free state resources for other tasks for which they are more suited. In recent years the costs of aircraft maintenance, training flights, and operating expenses have exceeded CAP's ability to fund them. CAP has raised donation levels for its members to the point that they are now experiencing a slow but accelerating decline in volunteers attributed on part to the financial sacrifice needed. In 1991, 40 other states recognized the value of the Civil Air Patrol to the public by providing limited assistance. The Texas Wing has not received any state funding. PURPOSE House Bill 158 authorizes the Division of Emergency Management to provide assistance to the Texas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, by adding Section 418.0461 which provides authorization for the Division of Emergency Management to provide financial assistance to the Texas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol in support for the Wing's disaster-related activities, associated training and exercises, and in aid to the state and state agencies. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE In Section 1, line 9, the word "shall" is changed to "may." In the same section, on line 11, after the words "state agencies," the words, "and the wing's training and exercises associated with those activities," are inserted. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION H.B. 158 was considered by the Committee on Public Safety in a public hearing on March 28, 1995. The committee considered a complete substitute for the bill. The substitute was adopted without objection. The following person testified in favor of the bill: Joe Negron, representing the Civil Air Patrol of Texas. The bill was reported favorably as substituted, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 3 absent.