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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the designation, functions, accreditation, and |
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continuing education of floodplain administrators; adding |
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provisions subject to a civil or criminal penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 16, Water Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 16.3151 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 16.3151. FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATORS: DESIGNATION, |
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FUNCTIONS, ACCREDITATION, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION. (a) The |
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governing body of each city and county shall designate a floodplain |
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administrator to administer and implement laws and regulations |
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relating to the management of floodplains. |
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(b) A floodplain administrator must be accredited by the |
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board. |
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(c) The board by rule shall establish accreditation |
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standards for floodplain administrators. In establishing |
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accreditation standards, the board shall consider the knowledge, |
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experiences, skills, and training necessary to prevent or minimize |
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flood hazards and losses. Accreditation standards may require: |
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(1) passage of an examination; |
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(2) completion of approved training; or |
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(3) certification by a nationally recognized |
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floodplain management organization. |
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(d) The board by rule shall establish requirements for |
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mandatory continuing education or training for accredited |
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floodplain administrators. Rules adopted under this subsection |
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must require a floodplain administrator to complete not less than |
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six hours of continuing education or training each year. |
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(e) The board may adopt rules necessary to implement and |
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enforce this section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 16.3161(c), Water Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(c) The board may use the account to: |
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(1) fund the performance of the board's functions |
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under Section 16.316; and |
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(2) reimburse cities and counties for the costs |
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incurred in complying with the accreditation and continuing |
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education or training requirements for floodplain administrators |
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established by the board under Section 16.3151. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |