HB 272

89S20419 MZM-D
		By: Howard
  H.B. No. 272
  A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
  AN ACT
  relating to a grant program to provide financial assistance to
  municipalities and counties that use helicopters to respond to
  disasters.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 140, Local Government Code, is amended
  by adding Section 140.015 to read as follows:
         Sec. 140.015.  DISASTER RESPONSE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM.
  (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Disaster" has the meaning assigned by Section
  418.004, Government Code.
               (2)  "Grant" means a grant authorized to be awarded by
  the comptroller under the disaster response assistance grant
  program established by this section.
         (b)  The comptroller shall establish and administer the
  disaster response assistance grant program to reimburse
  municipalities and counties for costs associated with the operation
  of a helicopter owned by the municipality or county in response to a
  multi-county disaster.
         (c)  The comptroller shall establish the eligibility
  requirements for a grant awarded under this section. The
  requirements must prohibit a municipality or county from recovering
  an expense for which the municipality or county otherwise has
  received or will receive funds from the federal government or the
  state.
         (d)  A municipality or county may not receive more than
  $750,000 in a calendar year in grants under this section.
         (e)  The comptroller shall adopt rules necessary to
  implement this section, including rules that establish:
               (1)  a standardized application process, including the
  form to be used to apply for a grant and the manner of submitting the
  form;
               (2)  deadlines for:
                     (A)  applying for the grant;
                     (B)  disbursement of grant money; and
                     (C)  spending grant money; and
               (3)  procedures for:
                     (A)  monitoring the disbursement of grant money to
  ensure compliance with this section; and
                     (B)  the return of grant money that was not used by
  a municipality or county for a purpose authorized by this section.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than May 1, 2026, the comptroller of
  public accounts shall establish and administer the disaster
  response assistance grant program and adopt the rules necessary to
  implement the program as required by Section 140.015, Local
  Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.