BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1326
81R7502 BEF-D By: Rios Ybarra, Gutierrez (Lucio)
International Relations & Trade
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Many food banks along the Texas Gulf Coast were depleted after the hurricanes in 2008. When Hurricane Dolly hit South Texas, the supplies in the Rio Grande Valley food banks diminished quickly because of the storm's severity. Food banks and pantries in the Houston area passed along most of their food supplies to assist their neighbors in South Texas. A short time later, Houston was hit by Hurricane Ike, which left most of its food banks and pantries greatly depleted. The lack of supplies broadened the emergency response services after the disaster, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency took a large amount of time to replenish these supplies.
H.B. 1326 authorizes the inclusion of provisions for quickly replenishing the food supplies of area food banks or food pantries following a disaster in the comprehensive state emergency management plan.
H.B. 1326 relates to a plan to replenish the food supplies of food banks or food pantries following a disaster.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 418.042(a), Government Code, to require the division of emergency management in the office of the governor to prepare and keep current a comprehensive state emergency management plan. Authorizes that the plan include certain provisions, including provisions for quickly replenishing the food supplies of area food banks or food pantries following a disaster. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.