The bill would amend Chapter 418 the Government Code to identify purposes of the chapter and to define "disaster" as it relates to the provisions outlined in the code.
The bill would specify that during a declared state of disaster only the legislature has the authority to restrict or impair the operation of businesses. The bill would provide the governor the ability to convene the legislature in a special session to respond to a declared state of disaster, as described by the Texas Constitution.
The bill would require the Office of the Governor to publish a compiled list on its website of regulatory statutes and rules that may require suspension during a disaster. Each agency that is impacted by a statute or rule included on the Office of the Governor's published list would be required to publish a list of those statutes or rules.
The bill would provide specific parameters to rules and laws that the governor may suspend during state of disaster. The bill would set parameters for the governor declaring a state of emergency.
The bill is contingent upon the passage of the constitutional amendment proposed by S.J.R. No. 40 of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, or a similar constitutional amendment.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.