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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a statewide disaster alert system. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 418, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter I to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER I. STATEWIDE DISASTER ALERT SYSTEM |
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Sec. 418.201. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "alert |
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system" means the statewide disaster alert system developed and |
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implemented under this subchapter. |
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Sec. 418.202. ESTABLISHMENT OF ALERT SYSTEM. (a) With the |
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cooperation of the office of the governor and other appropriate |
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agencies in this state, the division shall develop and implement a |
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statewide alert system to be activated in the event of a disaster |
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affecting any location in this state. |
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(b) The alert system may be operated in conjunction with any |
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other emergency alert system required by federal or state law. The |
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alert system must notify persons statewide of a disaster affecting |
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any location in this state. The notification must be provided |
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through: |
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(1) public and commercial television or radio |
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broadcasts; |
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(2) a system of dynamic message signs located across |
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the state; and |
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(3) reverse 9-1-1 calls, text messages, e-mails, |
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social media, and other instant messaging systems. |
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(c) The division shall allow persons to register for a |
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preferred method of receiving the notification described by |
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Subsection (b)(3). |
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Sec. 418.203. ACTIVATION OF ALERT SYSTEM. (a) When the |
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division determines that a disaster has occurred or that the |
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occurrence or threat of disaster is imminent or is notified of a |
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declaration of disaster under Section 418.014, the division shall |
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immediately activate the alert system under this subchapter. |
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(b) The division shall issue updated notifications for the |
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duration of the disaster. |
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Sec. 418.204. CONTENT OF ALERT SYSTEM NOTIFICATION. (a) A |
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notification issued under the alert system must include all |
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information necessary to: |
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(1) enable a person who may be affected by the disaster |
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to make informed decisions regarding the person's safety; and |
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(2) enable a person in another location in this state |
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to assist an affected person. |
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(b) The notification must include: |
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(1) real-time information regarding the availability |
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of gas, food, lodging, 24-hour pharmacy services, and medical care |
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and the disposition of a deceased individual; |
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(2) for a hurricane, the category classification of |
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the hurricane, including updated information on changes in the |
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category classification, the expected time and location of landfall |
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for the hurricane, and other detailed information about the |
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hurricane; and |
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(3) other information the division determines |
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appropriate. |
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Sec. 418.205. TERMINATION OF ALERT SYSTEM. The division |
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shall terminate the activation of the alert system when: |
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(1) the division determines that: |
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(A) the threat or danger has passed; or |
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(B) the disaster has been addressed to the extent |
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that emergency conditions no longer exist; or |
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(2) the governor terminates the state of disaster |
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declared under Section 418.014. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the public safety director of the Texas Division of |
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Emergency Management shall implement Subchapter I, Chapter 418, |
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Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |