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.