H.B.�No.�3851
AN ACT
relating to the authority of the governor or a political
subdivision to suspend statutory or local deadlines during a
disaster.
�������BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
�������SECTION�1.��Section 418.016, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
�������Sec.�418.016.��SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN [PROCEDURAL] LAWS AND
RULES.�(a) The governor may suspend the provisions of any
regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state
business or the orders or rules of a state agency if strict
compliance with the provisions, orders, or rules would in any way
prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with a
disaster.
�������(b)On request of a political subdivision, the governor may
waive or suspend a deadline imposed by a statute or the orders or
rules of a state agency on the political subdivision, including a
deadline relating to a budget or ad valorem tax, if the waiver or
suspension is reasonably necessary to cope with a disaster.
�������SECTION�2.��Subchapter E, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 418.1075 to read as follows:
�������Sec.418.1075.SUSPENSION OF DEADLINES IMPOSED BY LOCAL
LAW. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a deadline imposed by
local law on a political subdivision, including a deadline relating
to a budget or ad valorem tax, is suspended if:
�������������(1)the territory of the political subdivision is
wholly or partly located in the area of a disaster declared by the
president of the United States or the governor; and
�������������(2)the presiding officer of the political subdivision
or, if there is no presiding officer, the political subdivision's
governing body, proclaims the political subdivision is unable to
comply with the requirement because of the disaster.
�������(b)The presiding officer of the political subdivision or,
if there is no presiding officer, the political subdivision's
governing body, may issue an order ending the suspension of a
deadline under this section. A deadline may not be suspended for
more than 30 days after the date the presiding officer or governing
body, as appropriate, makes the proclamation described by
Subsection (a)(2).
�������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, 2009.
______________________________ ______________________________
���President of the Senate Speaker of the House�����
�������I certify that H.B. No. 3851 was passed by the House on April
28, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 149, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 3851 on May 29, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 143, Nays 0,
2 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House���
�������I certify that H.B. No. 3851 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 26, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate���
APPROVED: __________________
����������������Date�������
�������� __________________
��������������Governor�������