81R3215 MCK-D
By: Edwards H.B. No. 1026
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishing legislative district emergency response
teams.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 11, Local Government Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 364 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 364. LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS
Sec. 364.001. LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT EMERGENCY RESPONSE
TEAMS. Each district from which a member of the state house of
representatives is elected may form a district emergency response
team to:
(1) increase the number of trained responders in the
district;
(2) coordinate information and planning among
district residents and local, state, and federal government
officials;
(3) coordinate distribution of aid during a disaster
or emergency; and
(4) serve as a source of information to the government
responders and the residents of the district.
Sec. 364.002. TEAM MEMBERSHIP. (a) Each district
emergency response team must include:
(1) at least two licensed amateur radio operators;
(2) at least three persons who have a medical
background; and
(3) at least two persons who have completed Federal
Emergency Management Agency Incident Command System training
classes 300 and 400.
(b) Each team member must complete Federal Emergency
Management Agency Incident Command System training classes 100,
200, 700, and 800A.
(c) A team for a district located within 100 miles of the
Gulf of Mexico must have at least 30 members between June 1 and
November 30.
Sec. 364.003. POWERS AND DUTIES OF TEAM. The district
emergency response team shall collaborate with the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, the office of the governor, and other
state and federal agencies to:
(1) develop an emergency operations plan for the
district;
(2) establish:
(A) strategically located neighborhood
distribution sites for the distribution of aid during a disaster or
emergency and notify residents of the district about the locations
of the distribution sites;
(B) communications centers in the district that
would work with existing emergency operations plans of the
municipality and county to relay information to district residents
during a disaster or emergency; and
(C) a medical triage transport staging site in
the district; and
(3) meet with the state representative and senator
from the district to review the emergency operations plan.
Sec. 364.004. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN. (a) A district
emergency response team must file an emergency operations plan with
each municipality and county in which the district is located.
(b) The emergency operations plan must meet the Federal
Emergency Management Agency's guidelines for emergency operations
plans. The plan must be reviewed by an experienced neighborhood
responder before the team files the plan with the local
governmental entity.
(c) The team must consult with local essential businesses,
utility companies, and school districts in the development of the
emergency operations plan.
Sec. 364.005. COMMUNICATIONS CENTERS. Each communications
center must contain an amateur radio operator, radio equipment, and
wireless Internet access.
Sec. 364.006. MEDICAL TRIAGE TRANSPORT STAGING SITE. (a)
The medical triage transport staging site must:
(1) be equipped with a generator that has the capacity
to power medical apparatuses used for treating life-threatening
illnesses;
(2) house residents with medical conditions whose
health care treatment requires the use of electricity;
(3) include restroom facilities, showers, and a food
preparation location;
(4) have available an amateur radio operator;
(5) have equipment that has the capacity to produce
ice; and
(6) be located in an area that is not subject to
flooding during a category four hurricane.
(b) The district emergency response team shall notify the
municipality, county, state, and federal emergency management
organizations and each state and federal elected official
representing the district about the location of the medical triage
transport staging site.
(c) The team shall coordinate emergency plans with health
care providers in the district to ensure the delivery of health care
during a disaster or emergency.
Sec. 364.007. APPROPRIATIONS. Each district emergency
response team that complies with the requirements of this chapter
is eligible to receive money appropriated by the state.
Sec. 364.008. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COUNTY. The county in
which most of the district residents reside shall:
(1) administer the district emergency response team's
funds, including any money appropriated to the team by the state;
(2) make purchases for the team;
(3) provide the team with:
(A) two amateur radios;
(B) five wireless Internet stations;
(C) 12 cameras; and
(D) one generator to power the medical triage
area; and
(4) provide storage for the team's equipment.
Sec. 364.009. LEGISLATIVE LIAISON. The state
representative whose district creates a district emergency
response team shall serve as a liaison for the team. Each state
senator that represents the district may also serve as a liaison.
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, 2009.