BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2827

By: Phillips

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the definition of "homeland security activity" as it currently exists in state law does not include activities relating to fire or medical emergencies. These parties assert that the inclusion of such emergencies in that definition is necessary to ensure that federal disaster relief may be sought for the provision of fire or medical emergency services.
C.S.H.B. 2827 seeks to address this issue and ensure the well-being of Texas communities during such emergencies.    

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2827 amends the Government Code to include in the definition of "homeland security activity," for purposes of statutory provisions relating to homeland security, any activity related to the prevention or discovery of, response to, or recovery from a fire or medical emergency that requires additional resources beyond the local jurisdiction's capabilities.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2827 differs from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways by conforming to certain bill drafting conventions.