89R6259 GP-F

By: Anchía H.B. No. 2618

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the development of a severe weather adaptation plan by certain entities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Title 7, Government Code, is amended by adding Chapter 795 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 795. SEVERE WEATHER ADAPTATION PLAN

Sec. 795.001. PARTICIPATING ENTITIES. Not later than September 1 of each even-numbered year, each of the following entities shall publish a severe weather adaptation plan to assess the entity's role with respect to severe weather events:

(1) the Department of Agriculture;

(2) the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas;

(3) the General Land Office;

(4) the Health and Human Services Commission;

(5) the independent organization certified under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for the ERCOT power region;

(6) the office of the comptroller;

(7) the Parks and Wildlife Department;

(8) the Public Utility Commission of Texas;

(9) the Texas A&M Forest Service;

(10) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;

(11) the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs;

(12) the Texas Department of Insurance;

(13) the Texas Department of Transportation;

(14) the Texas Division of Emergency Management; and

(15) the Texas Water Development Board.

Sec. 795.002. PLAN. For purposes of this chapter, a severe weather adaptation plan is a strategy to identify, minimize, and adequately prepare for the effects of an increased incidence and prevalence of severe weather on the social, economic, and ecological systems of this state and to manage the risks associated with severe weather. A plan under this section must be based on current research-based science that identifies the likely effects on this state from severe weather events.

Sec. 795.003. CONTENTS OF PLAN. (a) An entity's severe weather adaptation plan must include:

(1) a severe weather vulnerability assessment;

(2) a review of existing programs in the context of severe weather events;

(3) specific steps necessary for the entity to fulfill its mission during severe weather events;

(4) an analysis of the effects implementing the steps identified under Subdivision (3) would have on the entity's budget during the next 2, 5, and 10 years;

(5) potential sources of funding to support the entity's efforts to adapt to an increased incidence and prevalence of severe weather events; and

(6) a statewide strategy to monitor the continuing effects of severe weather events.

(b) In developing a severe weather adaptation plan, each entity subject to this chapter shall consult with:

(1) the Houston Advanced Research Center; and

(2) the Office of the Texas State Climatologist in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Texas A&M University.

Sec. 795.004. POSTING OF PLAN. Not later than September 1 of each even-numbered year, each entity subject to this chapter shall post the entity's severe weather adaptation plan on a publicly accessible Internet website and electronically submit a copy of the plan to:

(1) the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives;

(2) the presiding officer of each standing committee or subcommittee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over environmental matters; and

(3) the executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Sec. 795.005. AUDIT OF PLAN. A severe weather adaptation plan is subject to audit by the state auditor in accordance with Chapter 321.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.