86R8897 YDB-D

By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 594

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of a business advisory council on disaster recovery and mitigation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 31, Natural Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 31.069 to read as follows:

Sec. 31.069. BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL ON DISASTER RECOVERY AND MITIGATION. (a) In this section:

(1) "Advisory council" means the business advisory council on disaster recovery and mitigation established under this section.

(2) "Disaster" has the meaning assigned by Section 418.004, Government Code.

(b) The business advisory council on disaster recovery and mitigation is established to provide to the commissioner advice and expertise on disaster recovery and mitigation as described by Subsection (g).

(c) The advisory council is composed of six representatives appointed by the commissioner as follows:

(1) one member representing banking and insurance entities in this state that provide mortgage lending and insurance for homeowners and businesses;

(2) one member representing construction entities in this state engaged in the construction of commercial, industrial, and residential buildings;

(3) one member representing the manufacturers in this state that produce construction materials;

(4) one member representing the oil and gas refiners and processing industries having major industrial infrastructure in areas of this state adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico that are most vulnerable to damage from hurricanes and flooding;

(5) one member representing the tourist and hospitality industry in areas of this state adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico that are most vulnerable to damage from hurricanes and flooding; and

(6) one member representing small businesses in this state that would be affected following a disaster by loss of customers, lost employees, and limited insurance.

(d) Members of the advisory council serve staggered four-year terms.

(e) An advisory council member is not entitled to compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the business of the advisory council.

(f) The advisory council members shall elect a presiding officer from among the members.

(g) The advisory council shall:

(1) provide advice on disaster recovery mitigation and resilience, specifically related to housing;

(2) provide information on advanced technological systems for disaster construction engineering and other innovative solutions for addressing infrastructure risks;

(3) provide information on banking and insurance requirements imposed following a disaster that may affect housing construction and recovery in areas affected by the disaster;

(4) provide advice during disaster recovery on issues faced by state and local governments; and

(5) propose solutions to address inefficiencies or problems in the state or local governmental disaster response with respect to issues described by this subsection.

(h) The advisory council shall meet at the times and locations determined by the presiding officer, not to exceed four meetings each year.

(i) Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, the advisory council shall submit a report on the advisory council's activities, advice, and proposed solutions to the commissioner, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives.

(j) The land office shall provide administrative support to the advisory council.

(k) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the advisory council.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the commissioner of the General Land Office shall appoint to the business advisory council on disaster recovery and mitigation two members to terms expiring February 1, 2021, two members to terms expiring February 1, 2022, and two members to terms expiring February 1, 2023.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.