BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 91

By: Martinez

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the activation of an identification system during a declared disaster would give vital information to those responding to the disaster, which could help quicken the response time and ensure that the response given is effective in meeting the needs of people and animals in the disaster area. H.B. 91 seeks to provide for the development of such an identification system.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 91 amends the Government Code to establish a disaster identification system by authorizing a person to use an illuminated display device to communicate with disaster relief personnel in an area subject to a gubernatorial declaration of a state of disaster. The bill establishes that an executive order or proclamation declaring a state of disaster activates the disaster identification system for the area subject to the declaration. The bill provides for the affixing of certain illuminated display devices to each individual and domesticated animal in the household of a person who elects to participate in the system and requires such a person to signal to disaster relief personnel responding to the disaster area with a continuous light on the display device of each household member who does not need medical assistance and a flashing light on the display device of each household member who needs medical assistance. The bill authorizes disaster relief personnel to patrol the designated disaster area by air or ground at night to locate persons with activated devices. The bill includes provisions for the use of the disaster identification system among the information the Texas Division of Emergency Management may include in the comprehensive state emergency management plan.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.