BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 91
86R1906 JG-F	By: Martinez (Lucio)
	Water & Rural Affairs
	5/12/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

During disasters and emergencies, search and rescue operations need to be as efficient as possible. As first responders perform their grid search, having more information can mean the difference between life and death. While white t-shirts are beneficial in identifying somebody who needs help, they do not indicate the number of people, the number of pets, and who needs medical treatment.

H.B. 91 creates a standard use of illuminated displays during a state of disaster. With a smartphone or flashlight and a filter, somebody can communicate to first responders how many people and pets there are and if they need medical treatment. This will provide crucial information to first responders before they reach the building, possibly providing life-saving medical treatment to those who urgently need help.

H.B. 91 amends current law relating to establishment of the disaster identification system for a declared state of disaster.

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 Section 418.004, Government Code, to define "illuminated display."

SECTION 2. Amends Section 418.015(a), Government Code, as follows:

(a) Provides that an executive order or proclamation declaring a state of disaster:

(1)�(2) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; and

(3) activates for the area subject to the declaration the disaster identification system described by Section 418.0155.

SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 418, Government Code, by adding Section 418.0155, as follows:

Sec. 418.0155. DISASTER IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM. (a) Authorizes a person, in an area subject to a declaration of a state of disaster under Section 418.014 (Declaration of State of Disaster), to use an illuminated display to communicate with disaster relief personnel. Requires a person who elects to participate in the disaster identification system to:

(1) affix to each individual and domesticated animal in the person's household an illuminated display of the following colors:

(A) if the person has a monochromatic illuminated display, the color white for each individual and animal; or

(B) if the person has a multicolored illuminated display:

(i) blue for each individual 18 years of age or older;

(ii) green for each individual with a disability;

(iii) red for each individual younger than 18 years of age; and

(iv) yellow for each animal; and

(2) using the illuminated display, signal to disaster relief personnel responding to the area after the disaster with:

(A) a continuous light on the display of each household member who does not need medical assistance; or

(B) a flashing light on the display of each household member who needs medical assistance.

(b) Authorizes disaster relief personnel to patrol the designated disaster area by air or ground at night to locate persons with activated illuminated displays.

SECTION 4. Amends Section 418.042(a), Government Code, to require the Texas Division of Emergency Management to prepare and keep current a comprehensive state emergency management plan. Authorizes the plan to include certain information, including provisions for the use of the disaster identification system described by Section 418.0155.

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2019.