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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of Texas Task Force 1 Type 3 Rio Grande |
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Valley. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter D, Chapter 88, |
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Education Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER D. TEXAS TASK FORCE [1] |
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SECTION 2. Section 88.301(2), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(2) "Member" means an individual, other than an |
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employee of The Texas A&M University System, who has been |
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officially designated as a member of a task force established under |
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this subchapter [Texas Task Force 1]. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 88, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 88.3025 and amending Section 88.303 to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 88.3025. TEXAS TASK FORCE 1 TYPE 3 RIO GRANDE VALLEY. |
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(a) The board shall establish Texas Task Force 1 Type 3 Rio Grande |
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Valley as a program of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. |
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(b) The training and assistance capabilities of Texas Task |
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Force 1 Type 3 Rio Grande Valley must be substantially equivalent to |
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the training and assistance capabilities of the Texas Task Force 1 |
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program described in Section 88.302. |
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(c) The headquarters of Texas Task Force 1 Type 3 Rio Grande |
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Valley shall be located in the Rio Grande Valley. |
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(d) Texas Task Force 1 Type 3 Rio Grande Valley is a program |
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of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service providing training |
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and responding to assist in search, rescue, and recovery efforts |
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following natural or man-made disasters. The task force's |
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responsibilities include: |
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(1) building collapse; |
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(2) search and rescue; |
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(3) confined space rescue; |
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(4) trench rescue; |
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(5) high and low angle rescue; |
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(6) swift water rescue; |
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(7) hazardous materials response; |
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(8) public works strike team response; |
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(9) heavy transportation extrication; |
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(10) wide-area search; |
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(11) technical rescue; and |
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(12) public safety. |
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(e) The task force will operate, train, respond, and |
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function under Texas Task Force 1. |
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(f) The members of Texas Task Force 1 Type 3 Rio Grande |
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Valley are responsible for any costs and expenses related to the |
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operation, training, and equipment of the task force, including the |
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procurement and maintenance of equipment and supplies. |
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(g) A member of Texas Task Force 1 Type 3 Rio Grande Valley |
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may be reimbursed for the member's expenses incurred while |
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activated and deployed in the same manner as a member of Texas Task |
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Force 1. |
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Sec. 88.303. WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE COVERAGE. (a) |
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Notwithstanding any other law, during any period in which a task |
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force established under this subchapter [Texas Task Force 1] is |
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activated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, or during |
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any training session sponsored or sanctioned by a task force |
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established under this subchapter [Texas Task Force 1], a |
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participating nongovernment member or local government employee |
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member is included in the coverage provided under Chapter 501, |
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Labor Code, in the same manner as an employee, as defined by Section |
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501.001, Labor Code. |
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(b) Service with a task force established under this |
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subchapter [Texas Task Force 1] by a state employee member who is |
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activated is considered to be in the course and scope of the |
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employee's regular employment with the state. |
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(c) Service with a task force established under this |
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subchapter [Texas Task Force 1] by an employee of The Texas A&M |
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University System is considered to be in the course and scope of the |
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employee's regular employment with The Texas A&M University System. |
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(d) Notwithstanding Section 412.0123, Labor Code, as added |
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by Chapter 1098, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, |
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1997, the Texas Division of Emergency Management shall reimburse |
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the State Office of Risk Management for the actual medical and |
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indemnity benefits paid on behalf of a covered member of a task |
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force established under this subchapter [Texas Task Force 1] at the |
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beginning of the next state fiscal year occurring after the date the |
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benefits are paid. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |