Texas House Bill HB201

Texas 2021 - 87th 2nd C.S.

Caption

Relating to a biennial report by the Texas Division of Emergency Management regarding building trade services following disasters.

Impact

By requiring the Division to assess and report on the state of building trade services, HB201 aims to improve service delivery during critical disaster recovery phases. The bill emphasizes the importance of utilizing a workforce trained through established apprenticeship programs to ensure qualified tradespeople are readily available post-disaster. This creates not only a strategy for effective recovery but also promotes the economies of affected communities reliant on these services.

Summary

House Bill 201 seeks to enhance the oversight and accountability of building trade services following disasters in Texas. It mandates the Texas Division of Emergency Management to compile and submit a biennial report to the legislature. This report will focus on the performance and availability of tradespeople such as electricians and plumbers in disaster-affected areas, outlining strategies for workforce improvement, economic impact, and criminal prosecution of fraud cases like wage theft and worker misclassification.

Contention

The discussions surrounding HB201 highlight the necessity of increased scrutiny over building trade services, especially concerning fraud management and contract enforcement. Some stakeholders may view the reporting requirements as a potential burden, fearing that the increased accountability measures could lead to heightened regulations. However, proponents argue that the benefits of ensuring competent and reliable service during disasters outweigh these concerns, making this bill a critical advancement in Texas's disaster response strategy.