By: Landgraf H.B. No. 2891
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to establishment of the Texas Emergency Alert Management
  System (TEAMS).
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 411.004, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 411.004.  DUTIES AND POWERS OF COMMISSION.  The
  commission shall:
               (1)  formulate plans and policies for:
                     (A)  enforcement of state criminal, traffic, and
  safety laws;
                     (B)  prevention of crime;
                     (C)  detection and apprehension of persons who
  violate laws; and
                     (D)  education of citizens of this state in the
  promotion of public safety and the observance of law;
               (2)  organize the department and supervise its
  operation;
               (3)  adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out
  the department's work;
               (4)  maintain records of all proceedings and official
  orders; [and]
               (5)  biennially submit a report of its work to the
  governor and legislature, including the commission's and director's
  recommendations; and
               (6)  notwithstanding any other law, the department has
  authority to manage emergency alert systems in the state.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter L-1 to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER L-1. TEXAS EMERGENCY ALERT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (TEAMS)
         Sec. 411.371.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "alert management system" means the Texas
  Emergency Alert Management System (TEAMS) established under this
  subchapter.
         Sec. 411.372.  DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TEXAS
  ALERT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (TEAMS).  With the cooperation of the Texas
  Division of Emergency Management, the Texas Department of
  Transportation, the Commission on State Emergency Communications,
  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Health and Human
  Services Commission, the Texas Department of State Health Services,
  the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Railroad Commission of
  Texas, the State Office of Risk Management, the office of the
  governor, and other appropriate agencies in this state, the
  department shall identify potential threats of regional or
  statewide significance and develop and implement a plan to alert
  the public by use of the Federal Wireless Emergency Alert System in
  the event that the director, chief of the Texas Division of
  Emergency Management appointed under Section 418.041, and a state
  elected official identify a need to alert Texans to an imminent
  threat to public health or safety.
         Sec. 411.373.  ADMINISTRATION.  (a)  The director is the
  statewide coordinator of the alert management system.
         (b)  The director shall adopt rules and issue directives as
  necessary to ensure proper implementation of the alert management
  system.
         (c)  The director shall prescribe forms to use in requesting
  activation of an alert regarding an emergency of statewide or
  regional significance.
         Sec. 411.374.  DEPARTMENT TO RECRUIT PARTICIPANTS.  (a)  The
  department shall recruit public and commercial television and radio
  broadcasters, mobile telephone service providers, private
  commercial entities, state or local governmental entities, the
  public, and other appropriate persons to assist in developing and
  implementing the alert management system.
         (b)  The department may enter into agreements with
  participants in the alert management system to provide necessary
  support for the alert management system.
         Sec. 411.375.  ACTIVATION.  (a)  On the request of a state
  elected official and a state agency official or law enforcement
  agency, the department shall investigate the need to activate a
  statewide or regional alert that is not otherwise authorized by
  Chapter 411 or 418, Government Code and notify appropriate
  participants in the alert system as established by rule if
  director, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management
  appointed under Section 418.041, and a state elected official
  identify a need to alert Texans to an imminent statewide or regional
  threat to public health or safety
         Sec. 411.376.  STATE AGENCIES.  (a)  A state agency
  participating in the alert system shall cooperate with the
  department and assist in identifying potential threats and
  developing and implementing the alert management system.
         SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the public safety director of the Department of Public
  Safety of the State of Texas shall adopt rules and issue directives
  necessary to implement Subchapter L-1, Chapter 411, Government
  Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.