86R13424 AAF-F
By: Metcalf H.B. No. 2325
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to providing information and communication regarding and
during a disaster.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
amended by adding Sections 418.054, 418.055, 418.056, 418.057, and
418.058 to read as follows:
Sec. 418.054. COORDINATING 9-1-1 TEXT MESSAGE CAPABILITY.
The division, in consultation with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Service, shall coordinate state and local government efforts to
make 9-1-1 emergency service capable of receiving text messages
from a cellular telephone or other wireless communication device.
Sec. 418.055. SOCIAL MEDIA USE DURING AND AFTER DISASTERS.
The division, in consultation with the Texas A&M Engineering
Extension Service and other appropriate public and private
entities, shall develop standards for the use of social media as a
communication tool by governmental entities during and after a
disaster. The standards must:
(1) require state agencies, political subdivisions,
first responders, and volunteers that use social media during and
after a disaster to post consistent and clear information;
(2) optimize the effectiveness of social media use
during and after a disaster; and
(3) require certain official social media accounts be
used during and after a disaster only for providing credible
sources of information.
Sec. 418.056. DISASTER MOBILE APPLICATION. (a) The
division, in consultation with the Texas A&M Forest Service, shall
develop a mobile application for wireless communication devices to
communicate critical information during a disaster directly to
disaster victims and first responders.
(b) The mobile application may provide information on:
(1) road and weather conditions during a disaster; and
(2) disaster response and recovery activities.
Sec. 418.057. USE OF DATA ANALYTICS IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT.
To the extent feasible, the division shall use data analytics
software to integrate data from federal, state, local, and
nongovernmental sources to more effectively manage disaster
response and recovery.
Sec. 418.058. STUDY ON STANDARD COMMUNICATION FORMAT. (a)
To improve the state's response to disasters, the division, in
consultation with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service,
shall conduct a study on the use of a standard communication format
by first responders to create a common operating framework during a
disaster. The study must:
(1) examine the costs and benefits of promoting the
use of a standard communication format to create a single
comprehensive common operating framework;
(2) identify any costs that first responders may incur
in acquiring equipment complying with a standard communication
format; and
(3) identify necessary actions to adopt a standard
communication format.
(b) Not later than September 1, 2020, the division shall
submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and members of the
legislature a report on the findings of the study.
(c) This section expires December 1, 2020.
SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 418.127 to read as follows:
Sec. 418.127. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COMMUNITY OUTREACH. To
the extent practicable, the following entities shall conduct
community outreach, including public awareness campaigns, and
education activities on disaster preparedness each year:
(1) municipalities and counties;
(2) the division;
(3) the Texas Education Agency;
(4) the office of the comptroller;
(5) the Texas Department of Insurance;
(6) the Texas Department of Transportation;
(7) the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs; and
(8) the Department of State Health Services.
SECTION 3. Subchapter H, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 418.193 to read as follows:
Sec. 418.193. DISASTER WEB PORTAL. The Texas A&M
University System, in coordination with the governor and the
division, shall develop a comprehensive disaster web portal. The
web portal must:
(1) provide disaster information to the public,
including information on programs and services available to
disaster victims and funding for and expenditures of disaster
assistance programs;
(2) include information on disaster response and
recovery activities; and
(3) provide information on obtaining assistance from
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, state agencies, organized
volunteer groups, and any other entities providing disaster
assistance.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.