Bill Text: TX HB588 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

Texas House Bill 588 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to a statewide disaster alert system.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-04-11 - Withdrawn from schedule [HB588 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB588-Introduced.html

	88R2636 SRA-D

	By: Raymond	H.B. No. 588



	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 L to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER L. STATEWIDE DISASTER ALERT SYSTEM
	Sec. 418.451. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "alert
	system" means the statewide disaster alert system developed and
	implemented under this subchapter.
	Sec. 418.452. ESTABLISHMENT OF ALERT SYSTEM. (a) With the
	cooperation of the office of the governor and appropriate state
	agencies, the division shall develop and implement a statewide
	alert system to activate 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
	this state; and
	(3) reverse 9-1-1 telephone 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. 418.453. 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 this chapter, the division shall
	immediately activate the alert system.
	(b) The division shall issue updated notifications for the
	duration of the disaster.
	Sec. 418.454. CONTENT OF ALERT SYSTEM NOTIFICATION. (a) A
	notification issued under the alert system must include all
	information necessary to:
	(1) assist a person affected by the disaster with
	making 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, and other detailed information; and
	(3) other information the division determines
	appropriate.
	Sec. 418.455. 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 state of disaster is terminated as provided by
	this chapter.
	SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
	of this Act, the Texas Division of Emergency Management shall
	implement Subchapter L, 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, 2023.