BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 158 By: Kamel (Cain) State Affairs 5-25-95 Senate Committee Report (Unamended) 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. Federal agencies 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. In Texas, there are some 2,500 trained members and 26 specially equipped search and rescue aircraft supplemented by dozens of member-owned or rented planes. 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. In 1991, 40 other states chose to provide limited assistance. The Texas Wing has not received any similar state funding. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 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 grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 418C, Government Code, by adding Section 418.0461, as follows: Sec. 418.0461. ASSISTANCE TO CIVIL AIR PATROL. Authorizes the Division of Emergency Management to provide financial assistance to the Civil Air Patrol, Texas Wing, to support the wing's disaster-related activities that assist the state and state agencies and the wing's training and exercises associated with those activities. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.