Texas Senate Bill SB351

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 12/19/16

Caption

Relating to the creation and administration of a disaster recovery fund.

Impact

The fund will permit grants specifically designated for non-federal matches for qualifying projects under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidance, along with funds directed at disaster recovery projects aimed at rectifying public damages. Entities will also be able to reimburse their employees for costs incurred while responding to disasters, provided these activities are outside their regular duties. This legislation is projected to provide much-needed financial aid to facilitate swift recovery efforts post-disasters.

Summary

SB351 establishes the Disaster Recovery Fund, a new financial resource aimed at assisting state and local governments, as well as volunteer organizations, in addressing extraordinary costs associated with disaster response and recovery. The legislation mandates that the primary funding source for recovery efforts be the regular appropriations or funds these entities normally receive. The intent is to provide additional financial relief specifically when the usual resources fall short in meeting the needs posed by disasters.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention surrounding SB351 could be the potential delays arising from the rigorous application process for obtaining grants from the fund, which involves a detailed evaluation of damages and local efforts. Additionally, the requirement for an entity to prove its financial need and to show that it has exhausted local funding options might lead to concerns over accessibility, especially for smaller municipalities or vulnerable organizations that lack the necessary administrative resources to navigate this process effectively.