By: Martinez Fischer H.B. No. 2362
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of the governor and the legislature with
respect to certain declared states of disaster.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 418.014, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as
follows:
(c) A state of disaster may not continue for more than 30
days unless renewed by the governor, subject to Subsection
(c-1).The legislature by law may terminate a state of disaster at
any time. On termination by the legislature, the governor shall
issue an executive order ending the state of disaster.
(c-1) If the governor finds that a state of disaster
requires renewal and the legislature is not convened in regular or
special session, the governor by proclamation shall convene the
legislature in special session to respond to the state of disaster.
SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
a state of disaster declared or renewed on or after the effective
date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.