By: Morrison, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Huffman) H.B. No. 7
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 23, 2019;
  April 25, 2019, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Business & Commerce; May 15, 2019, reported favorably by the
  following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 15, 2019, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to disaster preparation for state agencies and political
  subdivisions.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 418.0155 to read as follows:
         Sec. 418.0155.  SUSPENSION LIST. (a)  The governor's
  office, using existing resources, shall compile and maintain a
  comprehensive list of regulatory statutes and rules that may
  require suspension during a disaster.
         (b)  On request by the governor's office, a state agency that
  would be impacted by the suspension of a statute or rule on the list
  compiled under Subsection (a) shall review the list for accuracy
  and shall advise the governor's office regarding any statutes or
  rules that should be added to the list.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 418.054 to read as follows:
         Sec. 418.054.  DISASTER PREPARATION CONTRACTS. (a)  The
  division, in consultation with other state agencies the division
  considers appropriate, shall develop a plan to assist political
  subdivisions of this state with executing contracts for services
  that political subdivisions are likely to need following a
  disaster. The plan must include:
               (1)  training on the benefits to a political
  subdivision from executing disaster preparation contracts in
  advance of a disaster;
               (2)  recommendations on the services political
  subdivisions are likely to need following a disaster, including
  debris management and infrastructure repair; and
               (3)  assistance to political subdivisions with finding
  persons capable of providing the services described by Subdivision
  (2) and executing contracts with those persons in advance of a
  disaster.
         (b)  The division shall consult with the comptroller
  regarding including a contract for services a political subdivision
  is likely to need following a disaster, including debris management
  and infrastructure repair, on the schedule of multiple award
  contracts developed under Subchapter I, Chapter 2155, or as part of
  another cooperative purchasing program administered by the
  comptroller.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
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