82R9742 KYF-D

By: Martinez H.B. No. 3733

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of Texas Task Force 3 in the Rio Grande Valley.

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

SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter D, Chapter 88, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D. TEXAS TASK FORCE [1]

SECTION 2. Section 88.301(2), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(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 a task force established under this subchapter [Texas Task Force 1].

SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 88, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 88.3025 and amending Section 88.303 to read as follows:

Sec. 88.3025. TEXAS TASK FORCE 3: RIO GRANDE VALLEY. (a) The board shall establish Texas Task Force 3 as a program of the Texas Engineering Extension Service.

(b) The training and assistance capabilities of Texas Task Force 3 must be substantially equivalent to the training and assistance capabilities of the Texas Task Force 1 program described in Section 88.302.

(c) The headquarters of Texas Task Force 3 shall be located in the Rio Grande Valley.

Sec. 88.303. WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE COVERAGE. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, during any period in which a task force established under this subchapter [Texas Task Force 1] is activated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, or during any training session sponsored or sanctioned by a task force established under this subchapter [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 a task force established under this subchapter [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 a task force established under this subchapter [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.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 412.0123, Labor Code, as added by Chapter 1098, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, the Texas Division of Emergency Management shall reimburse the State Office of Risk Management for the actual medical and indemnity benefits paid on behalf of a covered member of a task force established under this subchapter [Texas Task Force 1] at the beginning of the next state fiscal year occurring after the date the benefits are paid.

SECTION 4. 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, 2011.