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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the development of a statewide real-time emergency |
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communications platform. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 418.0475 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 418.0475. STATEWIDE REAL-TIME EMERGENCY |
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COMMUNICATIONS PLATFORM. (a) In this section, "platform" means |
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the statewide real-time emergency communications platform |
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developed under Subsection (b) to support communications between |
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governmental agencies and other agencies before, during, and after |
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a natural disaster or other emergency. |
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(b) The division shall develop and maintain a statewide |
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real-time emergency communications platform to ensure that |
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governmental agencies and other agencies that respond to disasters |
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throughout this state have access to a communications platform: |
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(1) capable of rapid and efficient communication in |
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times of disaster; and |
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(2) dedicated to facilitating interagency |
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communication regarding disaster preparedness and response. |
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(c) The platform must: |
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(1) integrate and provide for mapping, alerts, data |
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tracking, resource requests and management, and other capabilities |
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as the division determines advisable; |
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(2) be accessible to emergency management personnel at |
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state, regional, and local agencies, the first responders of those |
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agencies, and other first responders as determined by the division; |
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(3) be interoperable with existing state and federal |
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emergency management communication systems and networks; and |
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(4) use plain language and follow standards |
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established by this state and the federal government for use of |
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terminology in emergency management. |
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(d) The division shall incorporate the platform into the |
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comprehensive state emergency management plan prepared under |
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Section 418.042 as an appropriate means of communication and each |
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local and interjurisdictional agency shall incorporate the |
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platform into the emergency management plan prepared for its area |
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under Section 418.106 as an appropriate means of communication. |
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(e) The division shall grant the following entities access |
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to the platform: |
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(1) the Commission on State Emergency Communications; |
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(2) the General Land Office; |
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(3) the Public Utility Commission of Texas; |
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(4) the Railroad Commission of Texas; |
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(5) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; |
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(6) the Department of State Health Services; |
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(7) the Texas Department of Transportation; |
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(8) the Department of Public Safety of the State of |
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Texas; |
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(9) the Health and Human Services Commission; |
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(10) other stage agencies with the duty to prepare for |
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or respond to disasters as determined by the division; |
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(11) each municipality; |
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(12) each county; |
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(13) any other political subdivision with the duty to |
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prepare for or respond to disasters, as determined by the division; |
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(14) members of the Texas Interoperable |
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Communications Coalition; |
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(15) each trauma service area regional advisory |
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council; and |
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(16) any other entity the division determines |
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appropriate. |
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(f) The division may collaborate with any state agency as |
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appropriate to develop and maintain the platform. |
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(g) Agencies described by Subsection (e) may use any funds |
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available to cover the costs of using the platform, including for |
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communication, information sharing, and resource requests and |
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management. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the |
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last day of the legislative session. |