H.B. No. 2320
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to services provided during and following a disaster.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 418.054, 418.055, and 418.056 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 418.054.  COMMUNICATIONS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A
  DISASTER. The division, in collaboration with other appropriate
  entities selected by the division, shall to the extent practicable
  include private wireless communication, Internet, and cable
  service providers in the disaster planning process and determine
  the availability of the providers' portable satellite
  communications equipment and portable mobile telephone towers to
  assist in response and recovery immediately following disasters.
         Sec. 418.055.  HARDENING OF UTILITY FACILITIES AND CRITICAL
  INFRASTRUCTURE. (a) In this section, "critical infrastructure"
  includes hospitals and fire stations.
         (b)  The division shall identify methods for hardening
  utility facilities and critical infrastructure in order to maintain
  operations of essential services during disasters.
         (c)  The division shall, in collaboration with the Texas
  Commission on Environmental Quality, the Railroad Commission of
  Texas, and any other state agencies selected by the division:
               (1)  determine methods for effectively reducing risks
  and impacts on utility facilities and critical infrastructure from
  a disaster; and
               (2)  encourage public and private entities that are
  responsible for utility facilities and critical infrastructure to
  implement the methods determined under Subdivision (1).
         (d)  This section does not apply to a utility facility owned
  or controlled by a utility regulated by the Public Utility
  Commission of Texas.
         Sec. 418.056.  REPORT ON BUILDING TRADE SERVICES FOLLOWING
  DISASTERS. (a) Not later than November 1, 2020, the division shall
  submit a report to members of the legislature on improving the
  oversight, accountability, and availability of building trade
  services following disasters. The report must include:
               (1)  strategies to increase the availability of
  tradespeople, including plumbers and electricians, following a
  disaster;
               (2)  approaches to increase prosecutions of alleged
  fraud related to building trade services offered following a
  disaster; and
               (3)  methods to encourage performance bond
  requirements in contracts for building trade services to be
  performed following a disaster.
         (b)  The division shall consult with the Texas Department of
  Licensing and Regulation and any other state agencies selected by
  the division, local governments, trade associations, and law
  enforcement groups in preparing the report described by Subsection
  (a).
         (c)  This section expires January 1, 2021.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 17, Utilities Code, is
  amended by adding Section 17.010 to read as follows:
         Sec. 17.010.  DISASTER BILLING AWARENESS. The commission in
  cooperation with the Texas Division of Emergency Management shall:
               (1)  promote public awareness of bill payment
  assistance available during a disaster for electric, water, and
  wastewater services, including assistance for consumers on level
  billing plans; and
               (2)  provide the public with information about billing
  practices during a disaster to ensure that consumers of electric,
  water, and wastewater services have an adequate understanding of
  their rights.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than December 1, 2019, the Texas
  Division of Emergency Management and the Public Utility Commission
  of Texas shall begin the public awareness campaign required by
  Section 17.010, Utilities Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2320 was passed by the House on April
  11, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2320 was passed by the Senate on May
  15, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor