Bill

HB 1090

83(R) - 2013
Homeland Security

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Positive
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Armando Martinez

Bill Caption

Relating to the creation of Texas Task Force 1 Type 3 Rio Grande Valley.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal impact is anticipated on the State. Based on information provided by Texas A&M System, it is anticipated that members of the Task Force would use the equipment from their respective local fire departments and any costs for the equipment would be covered by the local fire departments. TEEX estimates that the training costs would total $200,000 per year and anticipates that the local fire departments that employ the members of the Task Force would cover the costs of the training.

Bill Analysis

Summary: Currently, no regional response task force exists in the Rio Grande Valley to respond to natural and man-made disasters. The Rio Grande Valley is particularly susceptible to hurricanes. HB 1090 seeks to address this by creating the Texas Task Force 1 Type 3 Rio Grande Valley.

  • This bill requires the Texas A&M board of regents to establish Texas Task Force 1 Type 3 Rio Grande Valley as part of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.
  • This bill requires the Task Force headquarters to be located in the Rio Grande Valley
  • This bill outlines the Task Force's responsibilities such as providing training and responding to natural and man-made disasters
  • This bill allows members of the Task Force to be reimbursed for expenses
  • This bill includes Task Force members in Worker's Compensation Insurance Coverage

Analysis: Establishing a group to coordinate emergency response teams in the Rio Grande Valley is a legitimate function of government. Greater coordination will lead to greater efficiency and a more effective response. This Task Force will help the Rio Grande Valley be more self-sufficient by allowing a team of local people to be provided training for disaster response and relief. By enabling private citizens to be trained to supplement existing disaster response resources such as fire fighters, law enforcement, and healthcare providers, the Rio Grande Valley will be more self sufficient in times of disaster and will need to rely less on state or federal resources. For these reasons, TPPA recommends voting yes on HB 1090.