88R12969 YDB-D
 
  By: Springer S.B. No. 1437
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the Emergency Powers Board and its
  powers during a declared state of disaster or public health
  disaster.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 418.007 to read as follows:
         Sec. 418.007.  EMERGENCY POWERS BOARD. (a) The Emergency
  Powers Board is established to provide oversight during a declared
  state of disaster, including a public health disaster declared as
  provided by Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code.
         (b)  The board is composed of:
               (1)  the governor;
               (2)  the lieutenant governor;
               (3)  the speaker of the house of representatives;
               (4)  the chair of the committee of the senate with
  primary jurisdiction over state affairs; and
               (5)  the chair of the committee of the house of
  representatives with primary jurisdiction over state affairs.
         (c)  On or after the eighth day after the date the governor
  issues an executive order, proclamation, or regulation under this
  chapter, including an order, proclamation, or regulation related to
  a public health disaster declared as provided by Chapter 81, Health
  and Safety Code, the board by majority vote may set an expiration
  date for the order, proclamation, or regulation.
         (d)  Notwithstanding Chapter 551 or any other law, the board
  may meet by telephone conference call, videoconference, or other
  similar telecommunication method. A meeting held by telephone
  conference call, videoconference, or other similar
  telecommunication method is subject to the requirements of Sections
  551.125(c), (d), (e), and (f).
         (e)  If an executive order, proclamation, or regulation
  issued by the governor has as an expiration date set by the governor
  and not modified by the board a date that is on or after the 22nd day
  after the date the order, proclamation, or regulation is issued,
  the governor shall convene the legislature in special session to
  determine whether any legislation is necessary to implement,
  modify, or repeal the order, proclamation, or regulation.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2024, but only
  if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 88th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2023, requiring the governor to call the
  legislature into special session following certain disaster or
  emergency declarations and specifying the powers of the legislature
  in those special sessions is approved by the voters. If that
  amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect.