Disaster hub grants for Harris County

The text as introduced · 475 words

89R10440 LRM-D

By: Cook
S.B. No. 1311

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a pilot program for the establishment of disaster

relief hub houses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) In this section:

(1) "Community organization" includes a church or

nonprofit organization.

(2) "Disaster" has the meaning assigned by Section

418.004, Government Code.

(3) "Disaster relief hub house" means a building

maintained and operated by a community organization or political

subdivision that is capable of providing shelter, electrical power,

food, and other necessities.

(4) "Division" means the Texas Division of Emergency

Management.

(5) "Pilot program" means the pilot program

established under this section.

(6) "Political subdivision" means a county or

municipality.

(b) The division by rule shall establish and implement a

pilot program to award grants to eligible community organizations

and political subdivisions for the purpose of establishing and

operating disaster relief hub houses in Harris County. A community

organization or political subdivision that receives a grant to

establish a disaster relief hub house under this section shall

utilize the hub house to:

(1) prepare surrounding communities for future

emergencies and disasters; and

(2) during an emergency or disaster, or before an

imminent emergency or disaster:

(A) provide individuals in surrounding

communities shelter and access to electrical power; and

(B) distribute to individuals in surrounding

communities emergency preparedness items, including batteries,

water, ice chests for food storage, and nonperishable food items.

(c) A community organization or political subdivision is

eligible to apply for a grant under this section if the organization

or political subdivision:

(1) is located within the boundaries of Harris County;

(2) maintains a building located within the boundaries

of Harris County that is capable of providing shelter and access to

electrical power to at least 15 individuals at the same time; and

(3) submits a disaster resiliency plan to the division

with the organization's or political subdivision's application.

(d) The division may accept gifts, grants, and donations to

establish and implement the pilot program.

(e) Not later than August 31 of each year, with the initial

report due August 31, 2026, the division shall prepare and submit to

the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of

representatives, and appropriate standing committees of the

legislature a written report on the effectiveness of the pilot

program. The report must include recommendations regarding:

(1) whether the pilot program should be continued,

expanded, or terminated; and

(2) whether the pilot program would be appropriate for

statewide implementation.

(f) This section expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. 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, 2025.