BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 7
86R20023 YDB-D	By: Morrison et al. (Kolkhorst)
	Business & Commerce
	5/8/2019
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The report issued by the Governor's Commission to Rebuild Texas included a recommendation to compile and maintain a comprehensive list of all the regulatory waivers needed during a disaster to expedite suspensions in any future event, as well as a recommendation to emphasize to emergency management personnel the importance of working out partnership agreements and contracted services before a disaster strikes.

 

H.B. 7 requires the Office of the Governor to compile a list of statutes and rules that may require suspension during a disaster. The bill also requires the Texas Department of Emergency Management to develop a plan to assist political subdivisions with executing contracts for services commonly needed after a disaster. The plan must include training on the benefits of these contracts, recommendations on what services are likely to be needed after a disaster, and assistance in finding capable persons to provide such services.

 

H.B. 7 amends current law relating to disaster preparation for state agencies and political subdivisions.

 

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 B, Chapter 418, Government Code, by adding Section 418.0155, as follows:

 

Sec. 418.0155. SUSPENSION LIST. (a) Requires the Office of the Governor (governor's office), using existing resources, to compile and maintain a comprehensive list of regulatory statutes and rules that may require suspension during a disaster.

 

(b) Requires a state agency that would be impacted by the suspension of a statute or rule on the list compiled under Subsection (a), on request by the governor's office, to review the list for accuracy and to advise the governor's office regarding any statutes or rules that should be added to the list.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, by adding Section 418.054, as follows:

 

Sec. 418.054. DISASTER PREPARATION CONTRACTS. (a) Requires the Texas� Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), in consultation with other state agencies TDEM considers appropriate, to develop a plan to assist political subdivisions of this state with executing contracts for services that political subdivisions are likely to need following a disaster. Requires the plan to include:

 

(1) training on the benefits to a political subdivision from executing disaster preparation contracts in advance of a disaster;

 

(2) recommendations on the services political subdivisions are likely to need following a disaster, including debris management and infrastructure repair; and

 

(3) assistance to political subdivisions with finding persons capable of providing the services described by Subdivision (2) and executing contracts with those persons in advance of a disaster.

 

(b) Requires TDEM to consult with the comptroller of public accounts of the State of Texas (comptroller) regarding including a contract for services a political subdivision is likely to need following a disaster, including debris management and infrastructure repair, on the schedule of multiple award contracts developed under Subchapter I (Multiple Award Contract Schedule), Chapter 2155, or as part of another cooperative purchasing program administered by the comptroller.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2019.