SRC-JXG S.C.R. 68 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.C.R. 68
By: Armbrister
Administration
4/28/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, major portions of Texas have endured nature's wrath in the
weather extremes of the 1990s.  In October 1998, historic floods occurred
across much of South Texas. Governor Bush declared a state of disaster in
22 counties. President Clinton concurred and by presidential declaration
authorized federal aid. The general public, municipalities, and counties
all endured major losses. Local officials have expended considerable time
and energy completing disaster documentation for submittal to the Division
of Emergency Management (DEM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
and Natural Resource Conservation Service.  The Lyndon B. Johnson School of
Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin has been involved with
the City of Cuero concerning their housing issues caused by this disaster.
The legislature approved and added $16.3 million to the emergency
appropriations bill to assist local communities with state funds necessary
to match federal dollars, due to the magnitude of the disaster.
Difficulties have occurred in coordinating the disaster-related activities
of local, state, and federal representatives, and this lack of coordination
has caused the general public great hardship. S.C.R. 68 would establish a
blue ribbon study to examine ways to improve the coordination among the
entities responsible for providing assistance in disasters to streamline
the process and facilitate service to victims, and would provide that the
committee consists of representatives from the Texas Natural Resource
Conservation Commission, Texas Water Development Board, General Land
Office, and Division of Emergency Management as well as municipalities,
counties and river authorities. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.C.R. 68 submits the following resolutions:

That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby create a blue ribbon
study to examine ways to improve coordination among the Texas Natural
Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), Texas Water Development Board
(TWDB), Small Business Administration Volunteer Organization, Division of
Emergency Management (DEM), and General Land Office (GLO) in mitigating
damage by taking action before, as well as providing disaster assistance
after, flooding and other natural disasters and to streamline the provision
of disaster assistance.  
  
That the committee consist of representatives from TNRCC, TWDB, GLO, DEM as
well as municipalities, counties, and river authorities, with TNRCC serving
as chair. 

That appropriate federal agencies act as a resource to the committee as
necessary and that the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, The
University of Texas at Austin, may also act as a resource to the committee
as necessary. 

That the committee deliver the study to the 77th Legislature with
recommendations when it convenes in January, 2001.