89R6259 GP-F
By: Miles, Cook S.B. No. 2296
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the development of a severe weather adaptation plan by
certain entities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 7, Government Code, is amended by adding
Chapter 795 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 795. SEVERE WEATHER ADAPTATION PLAN
Sec. 795.001. PARTICIPATING ENTITIES. Not later than
September 1 of each even-numbered year, each of the following
entities shall publish a severe weather adaptation plan to assess
the entity's role with respect to severe weather events:
(1) the Department of Agriculture;
(2) the Department of Public Safety of the State of
Texas;
(3) the General Land Office;
(4) the Health and Human Services Commission;
(5) the independent organization certified under
Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for the ERCOT power region;
(6) the office of the comptroller;
(7) the Parks and Wildlife Department;
(8) the Public Utility Commission of Texas;
(9) the Texas A&M Forest Service;
(10) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
(11) the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs;
(12) the Texas Department of Insurance;
(13) the Texas Department of Transportation;
(14) the Texas Division of Emergency Management; and
(15) the Texas Water Development Board.
Sec. 795.002. PLAN. For purposes of this chapter, a severe
weather adaptation plan is a strategy to identify, minimize, and
adequately prepare for the effects of an increased incidence and
prevalence of severe weather on the social, economic, and
ecological systems of this state and to manage the risks associated
with severe weather. A plan under this section must be based on
current research-based science that identifies the likely effects
on this state from severe weather events.
Sec. 795.003. CONTENTS OF PLAN. (a) An entity's severe
weather adaptation plan must include:
(1) a severe weather vulnerability assessment;
(2) a review of existing programs in the context of
severe weather events;
(3) specific steps necessary for the entity to fulfill
its mission during severe weather events;
(4) an analysis of the effects implementing the steps
identified under Subdivision (3) would have on the entity's budget
during the next 2, 5, and 10 years;
(5) potential sources of funding to support the
entity's efforts to adapt to an increased incidence and prevalence
of severe weather events; and
(6) a statewide strategy to monitor the continuing
effects of severe weather events.
(b) In developing a severe weather adaptation plan, each
entity subject to this chapter shall consult with:
(1) the Houston Advanced Research Center; and
(2) the Office of the Texas State Climatologist in the
Department of Atmospheric Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences,
Texas A&M University.
Sec. 795.004. POSTING OF PLAN. Not later than September 1
of each even-numbered year, each entity subject to this chapter
shall post the entity's severe weather adaptation plan on a
publicly accessible Internet website and electronically submit a
copy of the plan to:
(1) the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of
the house of representatives;
(2) the presiding officer of each standing committee
or subcommittee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over
environmental matters; and
(3) the executive director of the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality.
Sec. 795.005. AUDIT OF PLAN. A severe weather adaptation
plan is subject to audit by the state auditor in accordance with
Chapter 321.
SECTION 2. 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, 2025.