81R3215 MCK-D

By: Edwards H.B. No. 1026

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to establishing legislative district emergency response teams.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 11, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Chapter 364 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 364. LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS

Sec. 364.001. LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS. Each district from which a member of the state house of representatives is elected may form a district emergency response team to:

(1) increase the number of trained responders in the district;

(2) coordinate information and planning among district residents and local, state, and federal government officials;

(3) coordinate distribution of aid during a disaster or emergency; and

(4) serve as a source of information to the government responders and the residents of the district.

Sec. 364.002. TEAM MEMBERSHIP. (a) Each district emergency response team must include:

(1) at least two licensed amateur radio operators;

(2) at least three persons who have a medical background; and

(3) at least two persons who have completed Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Command System training classes 300 and 400.

(b) Each team member must complete Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Command System training classes 100, 200, 700, and 800A.

(c) A team for a district located within 100 miles of the Gulf of Mexico must have at least 30 members between June 1 and November 30.

Sec. 364.003. POWERS AND DUTIES OF TEAM. The district emergency response team shall collaborate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the office of the governor, and other state and federal agencies to:

(1) develop an emergency operations plan for the district;

(2) establish:

(A) strategically located neighborhood distribution sites for the distribution of aid during a disaster or emergency and notify residents of the district about the locations of the distribution sites;

(B) communications centers in the district that would work with existing emergency operations plans of the municipality and county to relay information to district residents during a disaster or emergency; and

(C) a medical triage transport staging site in the district; and

(3) meet with the state representative and senator from the district to review the emergency operations plan.

Sec. 364.004. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN. (a) A district emergency response team must file an emergency operations plan with each municipality and county in which the district is located.

(b) The emergency operations plan must meet the Federal Emergency Management Agency's guidelines for emergency operations plans. The plan must be reviewed by an experienced neighborhood responder before the team files the plan with the local governmental entity.

(c) The team must consult with local essential businesses, utility companies, and school districts in the development of the emergency operations plan.

Sec. 364.005. COMMUNICATIONS CENTERS. Each communications center must contain an amateur radio operator, radio equipment, and wireless Internet access.

Sec. 364.006. MEDICAL TRIAGE TRANSPORT STAGING SITE. (a) The medical triage transport staging site must:

(1) be equipped with a generator that has the capacity to power medical apparatuses used for treating life-threatening illnesses;

(2) house residents with medical conditions whose health care treatment requires the use of electricity;

(3) include restroom facilities, showers, and a food preparation location;

(4) have available an amateur radio operator;

(5) have equipment that has the capacity to produce ice; and

(6) be located in an area that is not subject to flooding during a category four hurricane.

(b) The district emergency response team shall notify the municipality, county, state, and federal emergency management organizations and each state and federal elected official representing the district about the location of the medical triage transport staging site.

(c) The team shall coordinate emergency plans with health care providers in the district to ensure the delivery of health care during a disaster or emergency.

Sec. 364.007. APPROPRIATIONS. Each district emergency response team that complies with the requirements of this chapter is eligible to receive money appropriated by the state.

Sec. 364.008. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COUNTY. The county in which most of the district residents reside shall:

(1) administer the district emergency response team's funds, including any money appropriated to the team by the state;

(2) make purchases for the team;

(3) provide the team with:

(A) two amateur radios;

(B) five wireless Internet stations;

(C) 12 cameras; and

(D) one generator to power the medical triage area; and

(4) provide storage for the team's equipment.

Sec. 364.009. LEGISLATIVE LIAISON. The state representative whose district creates a district emergency response team shall serve as a liaison for the team. Each state senator that represents the district may also serve as a liaison.

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, 2009.