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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a task force on faith-based |
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programs that provide assistance during a disaster. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 418, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter I to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER I. TASK FORCE ON FAITH-B |
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ASED DISASTER RESPONSE |
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Sec. 418.251. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Chief" means the chief of the division appointed |
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under Section 418.041. |
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(2) "Task force" means the task force on faith-based |
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disaster response established under this subchapter. |
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Sec. 418.252. ESTABLISHMENT. The task force on faith-based |
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disaster response is established to assist the division by studying |
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the participation of faith-based organizations in disaster |
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response. |
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Sec. 418.253. MEMBERSHIP. (a) The task force is composed |
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of representatives of faith-based organizations active in disaster |
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response appointed by the chief. |
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(b) The chief shall determine the number of members of the |
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task force to ensure effective representation of faith-based |
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organizations active in disaster response. |
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Sec. 418.254. OFFICERS. (a) The chief is designated as the |
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interim presiding officer for purposes of calling and conducting |
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the initial meeting of the task force. |
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(b) The task force: |
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(1) shall at its initial meeting select a presiding |
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officer from among its members for the purpose of calling and |
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conducting meetings; and |
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(2) may select an assistant presiding officer and |
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secretary from among its members. |
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Sec. 418.255. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. A member of the |
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task force is not entitled to compensation or reimbursement of |
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expenses for service on the task force. |
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Sec. 418.256. MEETINGS. (a) After its initial meeting, the |
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task force shall meet at least twice each year at a time and place |
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determined by the presiding officer. |
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(b) The task force may meet at other times the task force |
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considers appropriate. The presiding officer may call a meeting on |
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the officer's own motion. |
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(c) The task force may meet by teleconference. |
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Sec. 418.257. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The division shall |
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provide administrative support to the task force. |
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Sec. 418.258. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. The task force shall: |
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(1) develop and implement a plan for improving data |
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collection regarding faith-based organizations that participate in |
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disaster response; |
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(2) develop best practices for communicating, |
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cooperating, and collaborating with faith-based organizations to |
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strengthen disaster response in this state; |
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(3) identify and address inefficiencies in disaster |
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response provided by the state and faith-based organizations; and |
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(4) identify and address gaps in state services that |
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could be provided by faith-based organizations. |
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Sec. 418.259. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2020, the |
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task force shall submit to the governor and the legislature a report |
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of the task force's activities conducted under Section 418.258 and |
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any recommendations for legislative or other action. |
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Sec. 418.260. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The task force may solicit |
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and accept gifts and grants from any source to be used to carry out a |
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function of the task force. |
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Sec. 418.261. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and |
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this subchapter expires September 1, 2021. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than October 1, 2019, the chief of the |
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Texas Division of Emergency Management shall appoint members to the |
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task force on faith-based disaster response, as required by Section |
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418.253, Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3616 was passed by the House on May 3, |
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2019, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 0, 2 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3616 was passed by the Senate on May |
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22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |