86R8897 YDB-D
By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 594
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a business advisory council on disaster
recovery and mitigation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 31, Natural Resources
Code, is amended by adding Section 31.069 to read as follows:
Sec. 31.069. BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL ON DISASTER RECOVERY
AND MITIGATION. (a) In this section:
(1) "Advisory council" means the business advisory
council on disaster recovery and mitigation established under this
section.
(2) "Disaster" has the meaning assigned by Section
418.004, Government Code.
(b) The business advisory council on disaster recovery and
mitigation is established to provide to the commissioner advice and
expertise on disaster recovery and mitigation as described by
Subsection (g).
(c) The advisory council is composed of six representatives
appointed by the commissioner as follows:
(1) one member representing banking and insurance
entities in this state that provide mortgage lending and insurance
for homeowners and businesses;
(2) one member representing construction entities in
this state engaged in the construction of commercial, industrial,
and residential buildings;
(3) one member representing the manufacturers in this
state that produce construction materials;
(4) one member representing the oil and gas refiners
and processing industries having major industrial infrastructure
in areas of this state adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico that are most
vulnerable to damage from hurricanes and flooding;
(5) one member representing the tourist and
hospitality industry in areas of this state adjacent to the Gulf of
Mexico that are most vulnerable to damage from hurricanes and
flooding; and
(6) one member representing small businesses in this
state that would be affected following a disaster by loss of
customers, lost employees, and limited insurance.
(d) Members of the advisory council serve staggered
four-year terms.
(e) An advisory council member is not entitled to
compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses
incurred by the member while conducting the business of the
advisory council.
(f) The advisory council members shall elect a presiding
officer from among the members.
(g) The advisory council shall:
(1) provide advice on disaster recovery mitigation and
resilience, specifically related to housing;
(2) provide information on advanced technological
systems for disaster construction engineering and other innovative
solutions for addressing infrastructure risks;
(3) provide information on banking and insurance
requirements imposed following a disaster that may affect housing
construction and recovery in areas affected by the disaster;
(4) provide advice during disaster recovery on issues
faced by state and local governments; and
(5) propose solutions to address inefficiencies or
problems in the state or local governmental disaster response with
respect to issues described by this subsection.
(h) The advisory council shall meet at the times and
locations determined by the presiding officer, not to exceed four
meetings each year.
(i) Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year,
the advisory council shall submit a report on the advisory
council's activities, advice, and proposed solutions to the
commissioner, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the
governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of
representatives.
(j) The land office shall provide administrative support to
the advisory council.
(k) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
advisory council.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the commissioner of the General Land Office shall
appoint to the business advisory council on disaster recovery and
mitigation two members to terms expiring February 1, 2021, two
members to terms expiring February 1, 2022, and two members to
terms expiring February 1, 2023.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.