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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requiring river authorities to coordinate with counties |
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in emergency preparedness planning. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 418, Government Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter F to read as follows: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 418, Government Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter L to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER L. RIVER AUTHORITY COORDINATION IN EMERGENCY |
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PREPAREDNESS PLANNING. |
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Sec. 418.501. DEFINITIONS. In this section: |
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(1) "River authority" means a conservation and reclamation |
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district created under Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas |
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Constitution that has jurisdiction over water resources within a |
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county, including but not limited to authorities created under |
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Chapters 8501-8520, Special District Local Laws Code. |
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(2) "County emergency management plan" means the emergency |
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management plan required under Section 418.106 of this code. |
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Sec. 418.502. COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS. Each river authority |
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operating within a county shall coordinate and collaborate with |
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that county's emergency management program in the development, |
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review, and updating of the county's emergency management plan as |
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it relates to: |
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(1) flood control and mitigation strategies; |
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(2) dam safety and potential dam failure scenarios; |
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(3) water resource management during emergencies; |
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(4) coordination of emergency communications regarding |
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water-related hazards; |
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(5) evacuation routes and procedures related to flooding; |
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(6) post-disaster recovery planning for water |
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infrastructure; and |
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(7) any other water-related emergency management matters |
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within the river authority's jurisdiction or expertise. |
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Sec. 503. COORDINATION ACTIVITIES. The coordination required by |
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this section shall include: |
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(1) Regular consultation between the river authority and |
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county emergency management personnel, with meetings held at least |
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annually or more frequently as determined necessary by either |
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party; |
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(2) Sharing of relevant data, studies, and technical |
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information related to flood risks, dam safety, and water |
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infrastructure that may be useful for emergency planning purposes; |
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(3) Joint participation in emergency planning exercises and |
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training when practicable; |
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(4) Coordination in seeking technical assistance and |
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expertise from the Texas Division of Emergency Management under |
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existing programs and resources. |
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Sec. 418.504. USE OF EXISTING RESOURCES. The river authority and |
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county shall utilize existing resources and personnel in fulfilling |
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the requirements of this section. |
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Sec. 505.505. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. Both the river authority and |
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county are encouraged to seek technical assistance from the Texas |
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Division of Emergency Management, which shall provide guidance and |
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support using existing resources and programs available through the |
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division. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote |
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of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided |
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by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not |
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receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes |
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effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative |
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session. |