BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 908 85R3963 AAF-D By: Creighton Natural Resources & Economic Development 4/21/2017 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT A vehicle used by a medical supply distributor to transport prescription drugs and other medical supplies to an emergency care facility or pharmacy located in an area declared a disaster area by the governor under Chapter 418, Government Code, may have access to highways, streets, and bridges as if the transport vehicle were an emergency vehicle if: (1) law enforcement officials in the disaster area can provide adequate security to protect the prescription drugs and other medical supplies from theft; (2) the weight of the vehicle will not jeopardize the structural integrity of any highway, street or bridge located in the disaster area; and (3) the vehicle will not negatively impact evacuation activities or any response or recovery activities in the disaster area. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is required to establish procedures to assist medical supply distributors in accessing highways, streets, and bridges as authorized by the provisions above. TDEM will also provide medical supply distributors with documentation specifying the distributor's access to highways, streets and bridges as authorized by the provisions above. As proposed, S.B. 908 amends current law relating to the operation of medical supply transport vehicles during a declared state of disaster. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 546, Transportation Code, by adding Subchapter C, as follows: SUBCHAPTER C. OPERATION OF MEDICAL SUPPLY TRANSPORT VEHICLES Sec. 546.051. DEFINITIONS. Defines "emergency care facility," "freestanding emergency medical care facility," "medical supply distributor," "pharmacy" and "trauma facility." Sec. 546.052. MEDICAL SUPPLY TRANSPORT VEHICLES DURING DECLARED DISASTER. (a) Authorizes a vehicle used by a medical supply distributor to transport prescription drugs and other medical supplies to an emergency care facility or pharmacy located in an area declared a disaster area by the governor under Chapter 418 (Emergency Management), Government Code, to have access to highways, streets, and bridges as if the transport vehicle were an emergency vehicle if law enforcement officials in the disaster area can provide adequate security to protect the prescriptions drugs and other medical supplies from theft, the weight of the transport vehicle will not jeopardize the structural integrity of any highway, street, or bridge located in the disaster area, and the transport vehicle will not negatively impact evacuation activities or any response or recovery activities in the disaster area. (b) Requires the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to establish procedures to assist medical supply distributors in accessing highways, streets, and bridges as authorized by Subsection (a) and provide medical supply distributors with documentation specifying the distributor's access to highways, streets, and bridges as authorized by Subsection (a). SECTION 2. Requires TDEM, not later than September 1, 2018, to establish the procedures required by Section 546.052(b), Transportation Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2017.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 908
85R3963 AAF-D By: Creighton
Natural Resources & Economic Development
4/21/2017
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 908
85R3963 AAF-D
By: Creighton
Natural Resources & Economic Development
4/21/2017
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
A vehicle used by a medical supply distributor to transport prescription drugs and other medical supplies to an emergency care facility or pharmacy located in an area declared a disaster area by the governor under Chapter 418, Government Code, may have access to highways, streets, and bridges as if the transport vehicle were an emergency vehicle if:
(1) law enforcement officials in the disaster area can provide adequate security to protect the prescription drugs and other medical supplies from theft;
(2) the weight of the vehicle will not jeopardize the structural integrity of any highway, street or bridge located in the disaster area; and
(3) the vehicle will not negatively impact evacuation activities or any response or recovery activities in the disaster area.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is required to establish procedures to assist medical supply distributors in accessing highways, streets, and bridges as authorized by the provisions above. TDEM will also provide medical supply distributors with documentation specifying the distributor's access to highways, streets and bridges as authorized by the provisions above.
As proposed, S.B. 908 amends current law relating to the operation of medical supply transport vehicles during a declared state of disaster.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 546, Transportation Code, by adding Subchapter C, as follows:
SUBCHAPTER C. OPERATION OF MEDICAL SUPPLY TRANSPORT VEHICLES
Sec. 546.051. DEFINITIONS. Defines "emergency care facility," "freestanding emergency medical care facility," "medical supply distributor," "pharmacy" and "trauma facility."
Sec. 546.052. MEDICAL SUPPLY TRANSPORT VEHICLES DURING DECLARED DISASTER. (a) Authorizes a vehicle used by a medical supply distributor to transport prescription drugs and other medical supplies to an emergency care facility or pharmacy located in an area declared a disaster area by the governor under Chapter 418 (Emergency Management), Government Code, to have access to highways, streets, and bridges as if the transport vehicle were an emergency vehicle if law enforcement officials in the disaster area can provide adequate security to protect the prescriptions drugs and other medical supplies from theft, the weight of the transport vehicle will not jeopardize the structural integrity of any highway, street, or bridge located in the disaster area, and the transport vehicle will not negatively impact evacuation activities or any response or recovery activities in the disaster area.
(b) Requires the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to establish procedures to assist medical supply distributors in accessing highways, streets, and bridges as authorized by Subsection (a) and provide medical supply distributors with documentation specifying the distributor's access to highways, streets, and bridges as authorized by Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. Requires TDEM, not later than September 1, 2018, to establish the procedures required by Section 546.052(b), Transportation Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2017.