Texas House Bill HB1831

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/6/09
• Voted on by House: 4/24/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/20/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/23/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 6/2/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

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

Impact

The implications of HB 1831 are significant as it amends existing laws to clarify and expand the role and responsibilities of public officials during emergencies. This includes guidelines for local governments to establish emergency management service divisions and making provisions for coordination between state and local management activities. The bill is designed to create a more effective and structured response to emergencies by ensuring that key personnel are well-trained and familiar with the state's emergency management laws and procedures, contributing to a more unified and efficient emergency response framework.

Summary

House Bill 1831 seeks to enhance disaster preparedness and emergency management in Texas by instituting mandatory training for public officers involved in emergency management. The bill mandates that these officials complete a minimum of three hours of training related to their responsibilities within 180 days of their election or appointment. This provision is aimed at ensuring that all public officers are adequately prepared to handle emergency situations, thereby improving the overall response to disasters across the state.

Contention

While there is a general support for enhancing emergency preparedness, some contention may arise regarding the implementation of the mandatory training. Critics may argue that the requirements could impose an additional burden on local governments, particularly those with limited resources. There are concerns that without proper funding and support, the training requirements might be challenging to fulfill, thus impacting the ability of smaller municipalities to comply effectively. The bill also impacts the authority of the emergency management council in deploying resources during disasters, which could lead to debate on the balance between state oversight and local control.