By Yarbrough, et al. H.B. No. 244
74R1039 JRD-D
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 Sec. 743.002. COORDINATION BY GOVERNOR. (a) The governor
1-19 shall initiate and coordinate the efforts of state government to
1-20 obtain the maximum amount of available federal assistance for the
1-21 state and its local governments and citizens in connection with the
1-22 reduction, closure, or conversion of federal military bases in this
1-23 state. Other state agencies shall assist the governor to initiate
1-24 efforts by bringing relevant information to the governor's
2-1 attention.
2-2 (b) The governor may initiate and shall coordinate the
2-3 efforts of a local government or a combination of local governments
2-4 to obtain the maximum amount of available federal assistance in
2-5 connection with the reduction, closure, or conversion of federal
2-6 military bases in this state.
2-7 (c) A state agency, local government, or combination of
2-8 local governments shall cooperate with the governor's efforts under
2-9 this chapter.
2-10 Sec. 743.003. GOVERNOR'S ACTIONS ON BEHALF OF STATE AGENCY
2-11 OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. (a) The governor may act on behalf of a
2-12 state agency, local government, or combination of local governments
2-13 to obtain the maximum amount of available federal assistance in
2-14 connection with the reduction, closure, or conversion of federal
2-15 military bases in this state.
2-16 (b) The governor may not, without the consent by order or
2-17 resolution of the governing body of an affected local government,
2-18 make an agreement or assurance on behalf of the local government.
2-19 Sec. 743.004. ACTION IF ASSISTANCE WITHHELD OR DEFERRED.
2-20 The governor shall take any action that the governor considers
2-21 necessary or appropriate to meet the needs of a state agency or
2-22 local government in connection with the reduction, closure, or
2-23 conversion of federal military bases in this state if:
2-24 (1) any federal assistance is withheld from the state
2-25 agency or local government;
2-26 (2) a contract that a state agency or local government
2-27 would otherwise receive under a federal assistance program is
3-1 withheld from the state agency or local government; or
3-2 (3) a payment or other form of assistance is deferred
3-3 because of an action by a federal government agency relating to the
3-4 federal assistance program.
3-5 Sec. 743.005. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The governor and the
3-6 lieutenant governor shall each appoint three members to an advisory
3-7 committee established to assist the governor in administering this
3-8 chapter. The governor shall designate one of the members as the
3-9 presiding officer of the committee. A member of the committee
3-10 serves at the will of the appointing authority.
3-11 (b) The advisory committee shall meet:
3-12 (1) at least annually;
3-13 (2) at least quarterly during the two-year period
3-14 following the date of the announcement that a federal military base
3-15 in this state will be reduced, closed, or converted; and
3-16 (3) more often, if necessary, at the call of the
3-17 presiding officer.
3-18 (c) The advisory committee shall advise the governor on
3-19 actions under this chapter. The governor shall inform the
3-20 committee of proposed rules and, if time permits, proposed actions
3-21 under this chapter for the committee's review and comment.
3-22 Sec. 743.006. RULES. The governor may adopt rules for the
3-23 administration of this chapter.
3-24 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the
3-25 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-26 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-27 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
4-1 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
4-2 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
4-3 passage, and it is so enacted.