78R7085 MI-F

By:  Ogden                                                        S.B. No. 1397


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the operation of Texas Task Force 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 88, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER D. TEXAS TASK FORCE 1
Sec. 88.301. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Local government employee member" means a member employed by a local government as defined by Section 102.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. (2) "Member" means an individual, other than an employee of The Texas A&M University System, who has been officially designated as a member of Texas Task Force 1. (3) "Nongovernment member" means a member who is not a state employee member, a local government employee member, or an employee of The Texas A&M University System. (4) "State employee member" means a member employed by an agency of the state other than a component of The Texas A&M University System. Sec. 88.302. TEXAS TASK FORCE 1. Texas Task Force 1 is a program of the Texas Engineering Extension Service providing training and responding to assist in search, rescue, and recovery efforts following natural or man-made disasters. Sec. 88.303. WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE COVERAGE. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, during any period in which Texas Task Force 1 is activated by the governor's division of emergency management, or during any training session sponsored or sanctioned by Texas Task Force 1, a participating nongovernment member or local government employee member is included in the coverage provided under Chapter 501, Labor Code, in the same manner as an employee, as defined by Section 501.001, Labor Code. (b) Service with Texas Task Force 1 by a state employee member who is activated is considered to be in the course and scope of the employee's regular employment with the state. (c) Service with Texas Task Force 1 by an employee of The Texas A&M University System is considered to be in the course and scope of the employee's regular employment with The Texas A&M University System. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.