BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 428

By: Lucio

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are concerns that requiring disaster survivors to fill out multiple forms to be able to apply for disaster assistance from multiple state or federal programs can lead to survivors not receiving the help they need. S.B. 428 seeks to provide for a study of using a single intake form to compile all information necessary to obtain such assistance.

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

S.B. 428 requires the Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Division of Emergency Management to do the following:

· conduct a study to determine the feasibility of developing:

o a single intake form that would compile all information needed to obtain disaster assistance from multiple state and federal programs for an individual who needs assistance as a result of a disaster; and

o an automated intake system for collecting the information;

· coordinate with FEMA and other appropriate state and federal agencies to conduct the study;

· determine whether FEMA and those other agencies will accept the single intake form; and

· not later than September 1, 2020, prepare and submit a written report to the legislature containing the findings of the study and any recommendations to the legislature.

The bill's provisions expire January 1, 2021.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.