| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to backup power supply requirements for certain critical |
|
|
facilities. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 771.051(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
|
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
|
(a) The commission is the state's authority on emergency |
|
|
communications. The commission shall: |
|
|
(1) administer the implementation of statewide 9-1-1 |
|
|
service and the poison control network, including poison control |
|
|
centers under Chapter 777; |
|
|
(2) develop minimum performance standards for |
|
|
equipment and operation of 9-1-1 service to be followed in |
|
|
developing regional plans under Section 771.055, including |
|
|
requirements that the plans provide for: |
|
|
(A) automatic number identification by which the |
|
|
telephone number of the caller is automatically identified at the |
|
|
public safety answering point receiving the call; [and] |
|
|
(B) the installation and use of a backup power |
|
|
supply for a power outage; and |
|
|
(C) other features the commission considers |
|
|
appropriate; |
|
|
(3) examine and approve or disapprove regional plans |
|
|
as provided by Section 771.056; |
|
|
(4) recommend minimum training standards, assist in |
|
|
training, and provide assistance in the establishment and operation |
|
|
of 9-1-1 service; |
|
|
(5) allocate money to prepare and operate regional |
|
|
plans as provided by Section 771.056; |
|
|
(6) develop and provide public education materials and |
|
|
training; |
|
|
(7) plan, implement, operate, and maintain poison |
|
|
control center databases and assist in planning, supporting, and |
|
|
facilitating 9-1-1 databases, as needed; |
|
|
(8) provide grants or contracts for services that |
|
|
enhance the effectiveness of 9-1-1 service; |
|
|
(9) coordinate emergency communications services and |
|
|
providers; |
|
|
(10) make reasonable efforts to gain voluntary |
|
|
cooperation in the commission's activities of emergency |
|
|
communications authorities and providers outside the commission's |
|
|
jurisdiction, including: |
|
|
(A) making joint communications to state and |
|
|
federal regulators; and |
|
|
(B) arranging cooperative purchases of equipment |
|
|
or services; and |
|
|
(11) accept, receive, and deposit in its account in |
|
|
the general revenue fund gifts, grants, and royalties from public |
|
|
and private entities. Gifts, grants, and royalties may be used for |
|
|
the purposes of the commission. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Section 552.001, Local Government Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: |
|
|
(e) A municipality that owns or operates a utility system to |
|
|
provide water service shall ensure that the utility system has a |
|
|
backup power supply for water treatment during a power outage. |
|
|
SECTION 3. Section 13.241, Water Code, is amended by adding |
|
|
Subsection (d-1) to read as follows: |
|
|
(d-1) The utility commission may not grant a new certificate |
|
|
of convenience and necessity to an applicant unless the applicant |
|
|
demonstrates that the applicant has a backup power supply for water |
|
|
treatment during a power outage. |
|
|
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |