The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Government Code to enhance disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in Texas. It allows justices of the peace to forgo conducting inquests and autopsies for deaths resulting from natural disasters under certain conditions, with these provisions set to expire on April 1, 2027. The bill also mandates the development of a training program for justices of the peace on managing mass fatality events and establishes a framework for emergency manager licenses, including the authority to impose fees for the licensing process. Local emergency management agencies are required to conduct annual drills and complete post-disaster after-action reports, while the Texas Division of Emergency Management is granted access to criminal history records for individuals applying for emergency manager licenses or volunteering for disaster response.

Additionally, the bill introduces a licensing requirement for emergency management coordinators and establishes a statewide volunteer management system to register and manage volunteers in disaster response operations. It creates a Small- and Micro-Business Recovery Fund to provide zero-interest loans to community development financial institutions for small and micro-businesses affected by disasters, ensuring at least 50% of the total loan amount is allocated to micro-businesses. The bill also requires the Department of State Health Services to create a rapid response team for mass fatality events and mandates safety requirements for campgrounds in floodplains. New provisions include a requirement for individuals to complete a designated training program by December 1, 2026, and the adoption of a post-disaster after-action report form. The bill is set to take effect on the 91st day following the legislative session, with specific provisions taking effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 418.005, Government Code 418.1015, Government Code 418.106, Government Code 481.451, Government Code 481.452, Government Code 481.453, Government Code 481.454, Government Code 481.455, Government Code 481.457, Government Code 489.107, Water Code 16.062 (Water Code 16, Government Code 481, Government Code 418, Government Code 489)