HB+1831+Texas+Legislature+81st+Session

Relating to disaster preparedness and emergency management and to certain vehicles used in emergencies; providing a penalty.
 * HB 1831**

House Bill 1831 clarifies provisions in the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 with respect to emergency management training, the emergency management council, the state emergency management plan, the use of temporary personnel, monitoring weather and suspension of weather modification, the use of state or federal resources by emergency management directors, local financing, declaration of local disaster, and license portability.
 * Primary Author:** Frank Corte
 * Joint Authors:** Al Edwards, Craig Eiland
 * Sponsor: **John Carona
 * Status:** Signed into law on June 19, 2009
 * Effective Date:** September 1, 2009, except Section 1.26(a) and Article 5, takes effect immediately
 * Subjects:**

The bill abolishes the disaster emergency funding board.

votes, two absent   Article 1: Emergency Electrical Power Sec 1.01 is amends the code to add extreme heat to the list of what defines a disaster. Sec 1.02 defines which officials are affected by this law and what their training shall be. Sec 1.03 defines the makeup of the Emergency Management Council and requires the council to assist the GMED to respond to major emergencies and disasters and suspends normal procedural rules. Sec 1.04 describes what a comprehensive state emergency management plan shall consist of. Sec 1.05 defines “critical water or wastewater facility” for disaster planning purposes. It also tells local groups to have a plan to provide essential supplies and serviced for the first 5 days following a disaster and provide power for hospital, prisons, certain institutions, Etc. Sec 1.07 amends the code to authorize temporary personnel during disasters. Sec 1.08 regulates weather modification operations. Sec 1.09 requires the GDEM to develop a phased reentry plan for people to reenter areas that were declared mandatory evacuation areas. Sec 1.10 defines which groups will have coordinated communications. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.11 prohibits anyone but an emergency management director from using state or federal resources without permission from the GDEM to responsible agency. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.12 amends the code to delete requirements about units functioning under council coordination. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.13 says that if a disaster is declared, the emergency response plan is activated. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.14 provided that if a person has the requisite license is requested for assistance then the license is good for any jurisdiction. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.15 allows an agency to purchase insurance directly. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.16 authorizes the use of force to remove people from an area declared for mandatory evacuation. Standards for shelter operations, agricultural emergency response plans, emergency special needs volunteers. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.17 requires nursing homes and assisted living facilities to have a disaster plan, assist the state in identifying persons in need of assistance and to notify each resident and their next of kin on how to register for evacuation assistance. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.18 requires nursing homes and assisted living facilities to have a disaster plan, assist the state in identifying persons in need of assistance and to notify each resident and their next of kin on how to register for evacuation assistance. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.19 sets eligibility requirement for people unemployed because of disasters. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.20 defines the terms “authorized emergency vehicle” and “police vehicle” <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.21 requires that officer’s vehicle to have the logo of their agency. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.22 repeals section 418.072 of the government code. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.23 repeals the Disaster Emergency Funding Board. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.24 sets the date of change of this law to affect law enforcement officers, county judges or public officials appointed after date of passing. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.25 sets the date of change so all applications for unemployment benefits that were requested before the law goes into effect will not fall under these requirements. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 1.26 defines when the Division of Emergency Management shall issue reports after an emergency. <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Article 2: Emergency Electrical Power <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 2.01 requires each electrical utility to submit a report describing plans for areas susceptible to damage during disasters. Sec 2.02 requires the Public Utility Commission to adopt the regulations by Oct 1, 2009 <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Article 3: Health and Safety Provisions <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 3.01 Changes licensing requirements, during disasters, for hospitals that provide dialysis on an outpatient service. Sec 3.02 ammends regulations to define “casket” and “commission”. Requires caskets to contain information about the deceased. Name, date of birth, and death date.
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Timeline: **
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Filed: **<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Feb 25, 2009
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">House committee: **<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> April 1, 2009. Defense and Veterans’ Affairs – nine affirmative votes
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">House Vote: **<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> April 24, 2009
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Senate committee: **<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> May 20, 2009. Transportation and Homeland Security - seven affirmative
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Senate Vote: **<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> May 23, 2009
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sent to Governor **<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">: June 19, 2009
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Analysis: **

Article 4. Provisions related to certain public employees <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 4.01 amends the Government code on “Use of compensatory time by emergency service personnel and optional overtime payments. Sec 4.02 adds the definition of who are “Emergency Service Personnel” Sec 4.03 redefines what a “First responder is”

<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Article 5: Judicial Preparedness <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sec 5.01 amends the Government code to set up rules for succession if courts are unable to function due to disaster. Sec 5.02 amends the Government code to authorize rules for coordinated judicial response. Sec 5.03 amends the Government code to strengthen the role of the judicial branch in prevention of, preparation for, response tom and recovery from disasters. Supporters: ** <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Burke, John (Texas Water Conservation Association) Howe, Mike (Texas Section American Water Works Association) Colley, Jack (DPS) Burton, Donovan (Texas American Water Works Association (TAWWA)), Cedar Park, TX Castleberry, Brad Past President (Water Environment Association of Texas), Austin, TX Cooke, Heather Legislative Coordinator (City of Austin & Austin Water Utility), Austin, TX <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Colley, Jack Chief (Governor's Division of Emergency Management), Austin, TX <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Scurlock, Steve Exec VP (Independent Bankers Association of Texas), Austin, TX <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">

<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">House Bill 1831 would provide a necessary update to poorly-worded or outdated provisions of the emergency management section of the Government Code, such as the weather modification permits and emergency funding board provisions. The bills as substituted would address concerns about the training requirement for elected officials by limiting the training to law enforcement officials and county judges who normally would be engaged in emergency management activities. The state emergency plan annex required by House Bill 1831 would help the Govenor's Division of Emergency Management coordinate among stakeholders to ensure an efficient and effective distribution of resources among those areas in critical need. By requiring the development of a post-disaster response plan before a disaster occurred, the bill would eliminate much of the confusion that has occurred in the past, such as after Hurricane Ike. It would give flexibility to critical water and wastewater facilities through mutual aid agreements. It also would help state and local emergency planners identify the needs of fuel stations and prevent public confusion about which stations were available for use. The state emergency plan annex would address those areas recognized as needing improvement following Hurricane Ike. Hospitals and relief Opponents: ** <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Sandlin, Bennett (Texas Municipal League) <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Lecklider, Russell (DPS) Allison, Jim General Counsel (County Judges & Commissioners Assn. of Tx), Austin, TX Evans, Mark County Judge (Trinity County), Groveton, TX Lee, Donald Executive Director (Texas Conference of Urban Counties), Austin, TX <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Reasons for Support **
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">

<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">While this bill would address many concerns with the immediate aftermath of a disaster, more could be done. A post-disaster emergency management plan also should include provisions for the coordination of temporary lodging and meals for volunteers and aid workers and for coordination between the Govenor's Division of Emergency Management and local hospitals for evacuation and relocation.
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Reasons for opposition: **

<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">The biggest issue that has made the news rounds is section 1.16. Under it a county judge or a mayor may order the removal of a person from the area using reasonable force. Texas has long been a strong property right state and the removal of someone from their property is cause for concern. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Part of the problem is what can be declared an emergency. It is now means” the occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or man-made cause, including fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, wave action, oil spill or other water contamination, volcanic activity, epidemic, air contamination, blight, drought, infestation, explosion, riot, hostile military or paramilitary action, extreme heat__,__ other public calamity requiring emergency action, or energy emergency.” So under this law, a person could be removed from their house for not having air conditioning in the heat wave we are having now and for an indefinite period of time.
 * <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Issues: **