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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a debris management plan and training. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 418.054 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 418.054. CATASTROPHIC DEBRIS MANAGEMENT PLAN AND |
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TRAINING. (a) The division, in consultation with the Texas A&M |
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AgriLife Extension Service, shall develop a catastrophic debris |
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management plan and model guide for use by political subdivisions |
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in the event of a disaster. |
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(b) The plan must: |
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(1) provide a guide for clearance and disposal of |
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debris caused by a disaster, including information on preparing for |
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debris removal before a disaster; and |
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(2) include: |
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(A) provisions for the use of trench burners and |
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air curtain incinerators of vegetative debris, including |
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identifying sources of equipment for use immediately following a |
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disaster; and |
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(B) procedures for: |
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(i) vegetative debris burning, including |
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the role of the Texas Department of Transportation in debris |
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removal; |
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(ii) the coordination of clearance and |
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disposal of debris; |
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(iii) obtaining equipment necessary for use |
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immediately following a disaster; and |
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(iv) the interaction between political |
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subdivisions and state and federal agencies. |
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(c) The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service shall |
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establish a training program for state agencies and political |
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subdivisions on the use of trench burners in debris removal. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2020, the Texas |
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Division of Emergency Management shall develop the catastrophic |
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debris management plan and model guide required by Section 418.054, |
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Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |