81R828 MSE-D
By: Gallegos S.B. No. 181
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to uniform reentry procedures for essential personnel
entering an area evacuated during a disaster or other emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 418.018, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) The governor, in cooperation with the Department of
Public Safety of the State of Texas, shall by rule establish uniform
reentry procedures for essential personnel entering a disaster area
or a stricken or threatened area that has been evacuated. The
procedures must:
(1) authorize the orderly reentry of essential
personnel according to the critical functions provided by the
personnel in restoring normal operations to the area following an
evacuation;
(2) prioritize the order of reentry for the essential
personnel, including emergency responders, search and rescue
personnel, infrastructure and utility repair personnel, official
damage assessment personnel, health care providers, and businesses
essential to the return of residents; and
(3) establish methods to authenticate the identity of
the personnel authorized to reenter the area.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the governor, in cooperation with the Department of
Public Safety of the State of Texas, shall adopt rules to administer
Section 418.018(d), Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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.