BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 6

86R20013 JRJ-D

By: Morrison et al. (Kolkhorst)

 

Water & Rural Affairs

 

5/11/2019

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

There have been calls for the state to do more to ensure that local jurisdictions are equipped to respond to and recover from devastating natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey. H.B. 6 seeks to answer those calls through the development of a disaster recovery task force

 

H.B. 6 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Division of Emergency Management to develop a disaster recovery task force to operate throughout the longterm recovery period following natural and man-made disasters by providing specialized assistance for communities and individuals to address financial issues, available federal assistance programs, and recovery and resiliency planning to speed local-level recovery efforts. The bill authorizes the task force to include and use the resources of any appropriate state agencies, including institutions of higher education, and of organized volunteer groups. The bill requires the task force to develop procedures for preparing and issuing a report listing each project related to a disaster that qualifies for federal assistance and requires a report to be submitted to the appropriate federal agencies as soon as practicable after any disaster. The bill requires the task force to provide a quarterly briefing to members of the legislature, legislative staff, and state agency personnel on the response and recovery efforts for previous disasters and on any preparation or planning for potential future hazards, threats, or disasters.

 

H.B. 6 amends current law relating to developing a disaster recovery task force to assist with long-term disaster recovery.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, by adding Section 418.054, as follows:

 

Sec. 418.054. DISASTER RECOVERY TASK FORCE. (a) Requires the Texas Division of Emergency Management to develop a disaster recovery task force to operate throughout the long-term recovery period following natural and man-made disasters by providing specialized assistance for communities and individuals to address financial issues, available federal assistance programs, and recovery and resiliency planning to speed recovery efforts at the local level.

 

(b) Authorizes the disaster recovery task force to include and use the resources of any appropriate state agencies, including institutions of higher education, and organized volunteer groups.

 

(c) Requires the disaster recovery task force to develop procedures for preparing and issuing a report listing each project related to a disaster that qualifies for federal assistance. Requires a report to be submitted to the appropriate federal agencies as soon as practicable after any disaster.

 

(d) Requires the disaster recovery task force, once each quarter, to brief members of the legislature, legislative staff, and state agency personnel on the response and recovery efforts for previous disasters and any preparation or planning for potential future hazards, threats, or disasters.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.