84R21811 AAF-F
By: Alonzo, Flynn H.B. No. 1557
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1557:
By: Phillips C.S.H.B. No. 1557
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to creation of a search and rescue task force in each
disaster field response region.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 418.043, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 418.043. OTHER POWERS AND DUTIES. The division shall:
(1) determine requirements of the state and its
political subdivisions for food, clothing, and other necessities in
event of a disaster;
(2) procure and position supplies, medicines,
materials, and equipment;
(3) adopt standards and requirements for local and
interjurisdictional emergency management plans;
(4) periodically review local and interjurisdictional
emergency management plans;
(5) coordinate deployment of mobile support units;
(6) establish and operate training programs and
programs of public information or assist political subdivisions and
emergency management agencies to establish and operate the
programs;
(7) make surveys of public and private industries,
resources, and facilities in the state that are necessary to carry
out the purposes of this chapter;
(8) plan and make arrangements for the availability
and use of any private facilities, services, and property and
provide for payment for use under terms and conditions agreed on if
the facilities are used and payment is necessary;
(9) establish a register of persons with types of
training and skills important in disaster mitigation,
preparedness, response, and recovery;
(10) establish a register of mobile and construction
equipment and temporary housing available for use in a disaster;
(11) assist political subdivisions in developing
plans for the humane evacuation, transport, and temporary
sheltering of service animals and household pets in a disaster;
(12) prepare, for issuance by the governor, executive
orders and regulations necessary or appropriate in coping with
disasters;
(13) cooperate with the federal government and any
public or private agency or entity in achieving any purpose of this
chapter and in implementing programs for disaster mitigation,
preparation, response, and recovery;
(14) develop a plan to raise public awareness and
expand the capability of the information and referral network under
Section 531.0312;
(15) improve the integration of volunteer groups,
including faith-based organizations, into emergency management
plans;
(16) cooperate with the Federal Emergency Management
Agency to create uniform guidelines for acceptable home repairs
following disasters and promote public awareness of the guidelines;
(17) cooperate with state agencies to:
(A) encourage the public to participate in
volunteer emergency response teams and organizations that respond
to disasters; and
(B) provide information on those programs in
state disaster preparedness and educational materials and on
Internet websites;
(18) establish a liability awareness program for
volunteers, including medical professionals;
(19) define "individuals with special needs" in the
context of a disaster;
(20) establish and operate, subject to the
availability of funds, a search and rescue task force in each field
response region established by the division to assist in search,
rescue, and recovery efforts before, during, and after a natural or
man-made disaster; and
(21) [(20)] do other things necessary, incidental, or
appropriate for the implementation of this chapter.
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, 2015.