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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a task force on faith-based programs that provide |
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assistance during a disaster. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 418, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 418.054 to read as follows: |
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Section 418.054. TASK FORCE ON FAITH-BASED DISASTER |
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RESPONSE. (a) The task force on faith-based disaster response is |
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established to assist the division in fulfilling the division's |
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duties under Section 418.043, Government Code. The division shall |
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provide administrative support to the task force. |
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(b) The task force is composed of representatives of |
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faith-based organizations active in disaster appointed by the chief |
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of the division. The chief may appoint as many task force members |
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as are optimal to ensure effective representation of faith-based |
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organizations active in disaster response. |
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(c) The chief is designated as the interim presiding officer |
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for purposes of calling and conducting the initial meeting of the |
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task force. The task force shall at its initial meeting select a |
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presiding officer from among its members for the purpose of calling |
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and conducting meetings, and may select an assistant presiding |
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officer and a secretary from among its members. A member of the |
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task force may not receive compensation or reimbursement for |
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service on the task force. |
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(d) After its initial meeting, the task force shall meet at |
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least twice each year at a time and place determined by the |
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presiding officer. The task force may meet at other times the task |
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force considers appropriate. The presiding officer may call a |
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meeting on the officer's own motion. The task force may meet by |
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teleconference. |
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(e) The task force shall: |
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(1) develop and implement a plan for improving data |
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collection regarding faith-based organizations that participate in |
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disaster relief; |
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(2) develop best practices for communicating, |
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cooperating, and collaborating with faith-based organizations to |
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strengthen disaster response in this state; |
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(3) identify and address inefficiencies in disaster |
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relief provided by the state and faith-based organizations; and |
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(4) identify and address gaps in state services that |
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faith-based organizations could fill. |
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(f) The task force shall prepare a report and may include |
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recommendations relating to legislation or administrative actions |
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necessary to address an issue identified by the task force related |
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to the participation of faith-based organizations in disaster |
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relief. The task force shall present the report to the Legislature |
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and Governor not later than December 1, 2020. |
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(g) The task force may solicit, accept, and administer |
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gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source. |
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(h) This section expires September 1, 2021. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than October 1, 2019, the chief of the |
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Texas Division of Emergency Management shall appoint members to the |
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task force on faith-based disaster response in accordance with |
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Section 416.054, Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. |
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If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |