Bill Text: TX HB34 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to a statewide disaster alert system.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-04-24 - Reported favorably as substituted [HB34 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB34-Introduced.html

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86R80 LED-D
By: Raymond H.B. No. 34

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a statewide disaster alert system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 418, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter I to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER I. STATEWIDE DISASTER ALERT SYSTEM
Sec. 418.201. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "alert
system" means the statewide disaster alert system developed and
implemented under this subchapter.
Sec. 418.202. ESTABLISHMENT OF ALERT SYSTEM. (a) With the
cooperation of the office of the governor and other appropriate
agencies in this state, the division shall develop and implement a
statewide alert system to be activated in the event of a disaster
affecting any location in this state.
(b) The alert system may be operated in conjunction with any
other emergency alert system required by federal or state law. The
alert system must notify persons statewide of a disaster affecting
any location in this state. The notification must be provided
through:
(1) public and commercial television or radio
broadcasts;
(2) a system of dynamic message signs located across
the state; and
(3) reverse 9-1-1 calls, text messages, e-mails,
social media, and other instant messaging systems.
(c) The division shall allow persons to register for a
preferred method of receiving the notification described by
Subsection (b)(3).
Sec. 418.203. ACTIVATION OF ALERT SYSTEM. (a) When the
division determines that a disaster has occurred or that the
occurrence or threat of disaster is imminent or is notified of a
declaration of disaster under Section 418.014, the division shall
immediately activate the alert system under this subchapter.
(b) The division shall issue updated notifications for the
duration of the disaster.
Sec. 418.204. CONTENT OF ALERT SYSTEM NOTIFICATION. (a) A
notification issued under the alert system must include all
information necessary to:
(1) enable a person who may be affected by the disaster
to make informed decisions regarding the person's safety; and
(2) enable a person in another location in this state
to assist an affected person.
(b) The notification must include:
(1) real-time information regarding the availability
of gas, food, lodging, 24-hour pharmacy services, and medical care
and the disposition of a deceased individual;
(2) for a hurricane, the category classification of
the hurricane, including updated information on changes in the
category classification, the expected time and location of landfall
for the hurricane, and other detailed information about the
hurricane; and
(3) other information the division determines
appropriate.
Sec. 418.205. TERMINATION OF ALERT SYSTEM. The division
shall terminate the activation of the alert system when:
(1) the division determines that:
(A) the threat or danger has passed; or
(B) the disaster has been addressed to the extent
that emergency conditions no longer exist; or
(2) the governor terminates the state of disaster
declared under Section 418.014.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the public safety director of the Texas Division of
Emergency Management shall implement Subchapter I, Chapter 418,
Government Code, as added by 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, 2019.