BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 88
80R10066 MSE-D By: Branch (Hinojosa)
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Many New Orleans residents, in addition to having to cope with the destruction and loss caused by Hurricane Katrina, had to cope with the loss of pets. The emotional attachment owners feel toward their pets is evidenced through a recent poll stating that 49 percent of homeowners would refuse to leave dangerous areas if their pets were unable to accompany the homeowner. While the United States Congress has enacted legislation to grant funds to state and local agencies for animal preparedness projects, there are currently no requirements in place for this state in terms of accommodating pets in disaster planning.
H.B. 88 requires the division of emergency management in the office of the governor to assist political subdivisions in developing plans for the humane evacuation, transport, and temporary sheltering of service animals and household pets in a disaster.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 418.043, Government Code, to include assistance to political subdivisions in developing plans for the humane evacuation, transport, and temporary sheltering of service animals and household pets in a disaster as a required duty of the division of emergency management in the office of the governor. Makes conforming changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.