BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 537

By: Kolkhorst

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that providing the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) the authority to purchase food, water, and other supplies for employees in advance of hurricane season would eliminate the wait for an inevitable disaster declaration and greatly improve the agency's efficiency in responding to a natural disaster. S.B. 537 seeks to address this issue by authorizing TxDOT to purchase these supplies for employees responding to emergencies or disasters. 

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. 537 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to purchase, using appropriated funds, food and beverages for a TxDOT employee who is:

· providing services in response to an emergency situation, an incident that endangers the health or safety of a person, or a disaster; and

· unable to leave or required to remain at the employee's assignment area due to the emergency situation, incident, or disaster.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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