BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 986

By: Kolkhorst

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that many local governments did not have the requisite contracts in place during recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey and that many local governments were not even aware that contracts were even necessary. As such, there have been calls for the comptroller of public accounts to update the statewide contract management guide to include contract standards and information for contracts related to emergency management. S.B. 986 seeks to provide for such an update.

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. 986 amends the Government Code to require the comptroller of public accounts to update the statewide contract management guide to include contract management standards and information for contracts related to emergency management. The bill requires the comptroller to develop those standards in consultation with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, and local governmental entities. The bill requires the contract management guide to include the following:

· preferred contracting standards;

· information on contracts for services that may be necessary to respond to a natural disaster or to construct, repair, or rebuild property or infrastructure after a natural disaster, including clearing debris and providing information management services and construction services; and

· advice on preparing for a natural disaster, including procedures to assist an applicable state agency with contracting for such services before a natural disaster occurs.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.