Bill

HB 2708

86(R) - 2019
House Transportation
House Transportation

Companion Bill

SB 537

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Ed Thompson

Co-Author(s)

Armando Martinez
Dennis Paul

Bill Caption

Relating to the purchase of food and beverages by the Texas Department of Transportation for certain employees responding to emergencies or disasters.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 2708 would allow the Texas Department of Transportation to use appropriated funds to purchase food and beverage for department employees who are unable to leave or are required to remain in a specific area as a result of providing services in response to an emergency/disaster or in response to an incident that endangers the health or safety of a person. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action remains neutral on HB 2708 because it does not significantly affect our liberty principles. Due to conditions in the disaster area and the amount of work to be done, disaster response personnel sometimes have to remain at their assigned location for a number of hours. It seems within the scope of a limited, responsible government to allow the division to provide to their disaster response team a reasonable lunch or dinner if they are not allowed to leave and buy it for themselves.