BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2912

By: Zerwas

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that in order for a county, such as Fort Bend County, to meet its responsibility to inspect, maintain, or repair infrastructure efficiently and safely, the county should be able to use the latest technology available, such as drone technology, not only in times of disaster when such use may be allowed, but also in preparation for a disaster. H.B. 2912 seeks to provide certain counties the authority to use an unmanned aircraft, or drone, to capture images for the purpose of disaster preparedness.

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. 2912 amends the Government Code to make lawful the capturing of an image using an unmanned aircraft in Texas for the purpose of disaster preparedness, including for the inspection, maintenance, or repair of public infrastructure, by a county with a population of 550,000 or more that is adjacent to a county with a population of 3.3 million or more or by a person who is under contract with or otherwise acting under the direction or on behalf of such a county.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.