The Texas House released the first batch of interim reports from House committees on Thursday. Reports from nine committees were posted online. One of those reports came from the House Committee on Land and Resource Management. Their interim report to the 85th Legislature includes background, analysis, and recommendations. Below is a spotlight on the recommendations directly from the report; however, for complete details please refer to the report.
In the days and weeks to come, the House will post reports from other committees as the reports are completed.
Charge #1 Recommendations – Disaster Preparedness and Response
Continue current collaboration/ outreach programs between General Land Office, Emergency Management, and local communities on enhancing both immediate response and long-term recovery plans after a disaster.
- Strengthen existing capabilities through discussions and decision-making processes; and
- Improve on anticipating the needs of local communities during a natural or manmade disaster; and
- Express the need for local communities to request assistance from the State/ Emergency Management through the entire process of a disaster from preparing to responding and recovering; and
- Express the need to local communities to have the necessary inter-local agreements for rapid response of man-power and equipment.
Texas is one of the three western states without a permanent air tanker base that can handle Type 1 air tankers which can drop 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of retardant on a single trip to scene of a fire.
- Build permanent air taker base(s) in a centralized location that is highly susceptible to fires.
In addition, we should:
- Educate all the stakeholders involved on the importance of communication and sizing up the fire(s).
- Provide additional funds to Texas Forest Service to ensure proper resources to prepare for flash draughts and fire seasons.
Charge #2 Recommendations – Coastal Erosion
Continue current programs and outreach between General Land Office and local communities to resolve both immediate and long-term coastal erosion. Use such programs to continue engaging and educating the public on the importance of the Texas coast and the significance of keeping it resilient.
- Educate the citizens on the important of the Texas Coast
- Ensure we use all stakeholder information/studies; to prevent overlapping of studies and uses of funds.
Charge #3 Recommendations – SB 695 (84R) Implementation
The Committee remains silent on recommendations for this charge.
Charge #4 Recommendations – Municipal Extraterritorial Jurisdiction
- A public notice to unincorporated areas of its boundary lines changing due to annexation or ETJ expanding.
- Reconsider annexation reform which will balance the powers between private property owners and municipalities.
- Reconsider eminent domain reform to ensure fair compensation for private property owners.
Charge #5 Recommendations – Agency Oversight and Monitoring
The Committee remains silent on recommendations for this charge.
