By Yarbrough, et al. H.B. No. 244
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to ensuring that the state and its local governments and
1-3 citizens receive all available federal assistance in connection
1-4 with the reduction, closure, or conversion of federal military
1-5 bases in this state.
1-6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-7 SECTION 1. Title 7, Government Code, is amended by adding
1-8 Chapter 743 to read as follows:
1-9 CHAPTER 743. FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY BASE
1-10 REDUCTION, CLOSURE, OR CONVERSION
1-11 Sec. 743.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
1-12 (1) "Federal assistance" includes:
1-13 (A) grants, loans, and other financial
1-14 assistance; and
1-15 (B) assistance other than financial assistance.
1-16 (2) "Local government" includes a political
1-17 subdivision or special district of this state.
1-18 (3) "Military base" includes a facility owned by a
1-19 branch of the United States military and leased to a private
1-20 contractor for the production of goods for the military.
1-21 Sec. 743.002. COORDINATION BY GOVERNOR. (a) The governor
1-22 shall initiate and coordinate the efforts of state government to
1-23 obtain the maximum amount of available federal assistance for the
1-24 state and its local governments and citizens in connection with the
2-1 reduction, closure, or conversion of federal military bases in this
2-2 state. Other state agencies shall assist the governor to initiate
2-3 efforts by bringing relevant information to the governor's
2-4 attention.
2-5 (b) The governor may initiate and shall coordinate the
2-6 efforts of a local government or a combination of local governments
2-7 to obtain the maximum amount of available federal assistance in
2-8 connection with the reduction, closure, or conversion of federal
2-9 military bases in this state.
2-10 (c) A state agency, local government, or combination of
2-11 local governments shall cooperate with the governor's efforts under
2-12 this chapter.
2-13 Sec. 743.003. GOVERNOR'S ACTIONS ON BEHALF OF STATE AGENCY
2-14 OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. (a) The governor may act on behalf of a
2-15 state agency, local government, or combination of local governments
2-16 to obtain the maximum amount of available federal assistance in
2-17 connection with the reduction, closure, or conversion of federal
2-18 military bases in this state.
2-19 (b) The governor may not, without the consent by order or
2-20 resolution of the governing body of an affected local government,
2-21 make an agreement or assurance on behalf of the local government.
2-22 Sec. 743.004. ACTION IF ASSISTANCE WITHHELD OR DEFERRED.
2-23 The governor shall take any action that the governor considers
2-24 necessary or appropriate to meet the needs of a state agency or
2-25 local government in connection with the reduction, closure, or
2-26 conversion of federal military bases in this state if:
2-27 (1) any federal assistance is withheld from the state
3-1 agency or local government;
3-2 (2) a contract that a state agency or local government
3-3 would otherwise receive under a federal assistance program is
3-4 withheld from the state agency or local government; or
3-5 (3) a payment or other form of assistance is deferred
3-6 because of an action by a federal government agency relating to the
3-7 federal assistance program.
3-8 Sec. 743.005. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The governor and the
3-9 lieutenant governor shall each appoint three members to an advisory
3-10 committee established to assist the governor in administering this
3-11 chapter. The governor shall designate one of the members as the
3-12 presiding officer of the committee. A member of the committee
3-13 serves at the will of the appointing authority.
3-14 (b) The advisory committee shall meet:
3-15 (1) at least annually;
3-16 (2) at least quarterly during the two-year period
3-17 following the date of the announcement that a federal military base
3-18 in this state will be reduced, closed, or converted; and
3-19 (3) more often, if necessary, at the call of the
3-20 presiding officer.
3-21 (c) The advisory committee shall advise the governor on
3-22 actions under this chapter. The governor shall inform the
3-23 committee of proposed rules and, if time permits, proposed actions
3-24 under this chapter for the committee's review and comment.
3-25 Sec. 743.006. RULES. The governor may adopt rules for the
3-26 administration of this chapter.
3-27 Sec. 743.007. ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION. The governor,
4-1 state agencies, and local governments shall act under this chapter
4-2 to obtain the maximum amount of available federal assistance for
4-3 environmental remediation necessary in connection with the closure
4-4 or conversion of a federal military base.
4-5 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the
4-6 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
4-7 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
4-8 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
4-9 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
4-10 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
4-11 passage, and it is so enacted.