Committee Hears Key Bills to Strengthen the State’s Disaster Response & Support Texans
AUSTIN, Texas — Following a critical hearing yesterday of the House Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Speaker of the Texas House Dustin Burrows highlighted the committee’s dedication to providing relief to Texans devastated by the recent flooding and strengthening the state against future disasters. Despite some members’ attempt to block the Texas House from conducting state business, the House members present in Austin remain committed to fulfilling their legislative responsibilities to all Texans.
“Every member of the House takes an oath of office to faithfully execute their duties to the people of Texas, and the majority stand ready to honor this pledge and deliver solutions for a stronger, safer state,” said Speaker Burrows. “Many members serious about serving our state have kept working to ensure Texans receive the disaster relief needed to move forward after tragedy. Yesterday’s Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness & Flooding hearing keeps us on track in helping communities adopt early warning systems and improve disaster communications among first responders and law enforcement, as well as other critical safety reforms. I want to thank Chairman Ken King, Vice Chairman Armando Martinez, members of the committee, our Senate partners, and those who continue to show up for this important work so that the legislature can hit the ground running on these efforts and others once our colleagues return to their legislative responsibilities in Austin.”
The House Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness & Flooding met on Tuesday to hear testimony on priority legislation for the current special session, including House Bill 1, HB 2, HB 18, HB 19, and HB 20. This package of legislation would improve the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s comprehensive disaster response abilities, establish the Texas Interoperability Council for a statewide strategic communications plan, and deliver existing funding to local governments for early warning systems and interoperability improvements through grants and loans. The select committee also discussed requiring campgrounds to have a disaster flood plan and creating safeguards against predatory scammers taking advantage of Texans’ charitable donations for disaster victims.
House committees will continue to meet so these critical safety and recovery measures and other priority legislation can be passed into law immediately once a quorum is re-established.