BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3397

By: Bailes

Appropriations

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Almost a decade ago, the Texas Legislature established the emergency radio infrastructure account in general revenue to speed development and operation of an interoperable statewide emergency radio infrastructure, among other purposes. After Hurricane Harvey, the Department of Public Safety indicated that there remain unappropriated funds for radio infrastructure. In addition, the state has not completed building out its proposed emergency interoperable communications network, and pockets of the state still experience poor connectivity. H.B. 3397 seeks to address these issues by appropriating $23 million from the account to the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

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. 3397 appropriates $23 million from the emergency radio infrastructure account in the general revenue fund to the Texas Division of Emergency Management for the 2020-2021 state fiscal biennium to be used to plan, develop, and provide an interoperable statewide emergency radio infrastructure.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.