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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to establishment of the disaster identification system for |
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a declared state of disaster. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 418.004, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subdivision (3-a) to read as follows: |
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(3-a) "Illuminated display" means a device that is |
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capable of displaying a flashing light and a continuous light in |
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either the color white or the colors blue, green, red, and yellow. |
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SECTION 2. Section 418.015(a), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) An executive order or proclamation declaring a state of |
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disaster: |
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(1) activates the disaster recovery and |
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rehabilitation aspects of the state emergency management plan |
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applicable to the area subject to the declaration; [and] |
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(2) authorizes the deployment and use of any forces to |
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which the plan applies and the use or distribution of any supplies, |
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equipment, and materials or facilities assembled, stockpiled, or |
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arranged to be made available under this chapter or other law |
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relating to disasters; and |
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(3) activates for the area subject to the declaration |
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the disaster identification system described by Section 418.0151. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 418, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 418.0151 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 418.0151. DISASTER IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM. (a) In an |
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area subject to a state of disaster declaration, a person may elect |
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to participate in the disaster identification system activated for |
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the area. The system must authorize the use of an illuminated |
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display to communicate with disaster relief personnel. |
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(b) A person participating in the disaster identification |
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system shall: |
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(1) affix to each individual and domesticated animal |
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in the person's household an illuminated display of the following |
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colors: |
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(A) if the person has a monochromatic illuminated |
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display, the color white for each individual and animal; or |
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(B) if the person has a multicolored illuminated |
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display: |
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(i) blue for each individual 18 years of age |
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or older; |
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(ii) green for each individual with a |
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disability; |
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(iii) red for each individual younger than |
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18 years of age; and |
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(iv) yellow for each animal; and |
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(2) using the illuminated display, signal to disaster |
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relief personnel responding to the area after the disaster with: |
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(A) a continuous light on the display of each |
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household member who does not need medical assistance; or |
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(B) a flashing light on the display of each |
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household member who needs medical assistance. |
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(c) Disaster relief personnel may patrol the designated |
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disaster area by air or ground at night to locate individuals or |
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animals with activated illuminated displays. |
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SECTION 4. Section 418.042(a), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) The division shall prepare and keep current a |
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comprehensive state emergency management plan. The plan may |
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include: |
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(1) provisions for prevention and minimization of |
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injury and damage caused by disaster; |
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(2) provisions for prompt and effective response to |
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disaster; |
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(3) provisions for emergency relief; |
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(4) provisions for energy emergencies; |
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(5) identification of areas particularly vulnerable |
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to disasters; |
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(6) recommendations for zoning, building |
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restrictions, and other land-use controls, safety measures for |
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securing mobile homes or other nonpermanent or semipermanent |
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structures, and other preventive and preparedness measures |
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designed to eliminate or reduce disasters or their impact; |
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(7) provisions for assistance to local officials in |
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designing local emergency management plans; |
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(8) authorization and procedures for the erection or |
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other construction of temporary works designed to protect against |
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or mitigate danger, damage, or loss from flood, fire, or other |
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disaster; |
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(9) preparation and distribution to the appropriate |
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state and local officials of state catalogs of federal, state, and |
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private assistance programs; |
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(10) organization of manpower and channels of |
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assistance; |
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(11) coordination of federal, state, and local |
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emergency management activities; |
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(12) coordination of the state emergency management |
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plan with the emergency management plans of the federal government; |
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(13) coordination of federal and state energy |
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emergency plans; |
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(14) provisions for providing information to local |
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officials on activation of the Emergency Alert System established |
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under 47 C.F.R. Part 11; |
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(15) a database of public facilities that may be used |
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under Section 418.017 to shelter individuals during a disaster, |
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including air-conditioned facilities for shelter during an extreme |
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heat disaster and fortified structures for shelter during a wind |
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disaster; |
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(16) provisions for quickly replenishing the food |
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supplies of area food banks or food pantries following a disaster; |
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(17) provisions for the use of the disaster |
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identification system described by Section 418.0151; and |
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(18) [(17)] other necessary matters relating to |
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disasters. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |
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