The House Committee on County Affairs

85th Legislature

February 6, 2018

9:15 a.m.

Houston, TX

Pursuant to a notice posted on January 22, 2018, revised on February 5, 2018, the House Committee on County Affairs met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Coleman, at 10:07 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Coleman; Springer; Hunter; Neave; Thierry; and Uresti, Tomas.

A quorum was present.

Representative Walle was also present.

The committee received a welcome address and presentation from the University of Houston-Downtown President Juan Sánchez Muñoz.  

The committee heard invited testimony on the following topic:

Oversight of the implementation of SB 1849 otherwise known as the “Sandra Bland Act”.  Through this, the committee heard from invited speakers on the status of the implementation. 

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

After this topic, the committee heard invited and public testimony on the follow interim charges:

Interim Charge #1: Examine how emergency response activities are organized, funded, and coordinated. Review the impact of natural disasters on county finances. Identify any deficiencies in authority for the most populous counties related to infrastructure planning, emergency response, and recovery. Explore ways to improve efficiencies and manage costs while protecting public safety. Additionally, study the relationship between the state, counties, non-governmental organizations, and churches in preparing for and responding to Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath, and determine if preparedness plans are adequate.

Interim Charge #2: Evaluate whether counties have the necessary ordinance-making and enforcement authority to deal with flood risk in unincorporated rural and suburban areas of Texas.  Additionally, examine whether counties have adequate resources and authority to ensure that new development in unincorporated areas is not susceptible to flooding.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Roberts now present.)

(Representative Thierry in chair.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Roberts in chair.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Coleman in chair.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

At 5:11 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

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Rep. Coleman, Chair

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Kelsey Bernstein, Clerk