HBA-BSM H.C.R. 102 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.C.R. 102 By: Brimer Land & Resource Management 4/24/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Building disaster resistant communities requires extensive coordination and expertise and is an ongoing process. It is incumbent upon each community to determine the disaster planning measures that are necessary to reduce risk. Many of our nation's communities are not prepared for the potential devastation that can be caused by a natural disaster because of inadequate planning and insufficient mobilization of resources. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) strongly urges communities throughout Texas to implement the Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant Communities initiative. Since its inception in 1997, the innovative Project Impact program has helped numerous communities protect and safeguard themselves from natural disasters. Today, there are approximately 250 Project Impact communities in the United States that are better equipped to handle disasters such as tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes. Saving lives, reducing property damage, and preserving the environment are some of the benefits communities have reaped from incorporating tenets of this highly successful program. In addition, the Project Impact initiative has proved cost effective, and instead of waiting for disasters to occur, communities that adhere to the principles of the program take a proactive approach and assess their vulnerabilities to natural disasters. Moreover, they enforce stricter building codes, improve existing structures, and educate residents about preventative maintenance steps they can take in their homes and businesses. Sustaining effective disaster resistance policies is a long-term endeavor that requires active partnerships between individual citizens, businesses, educators, and civic and community-oriented organizations as well as local, state, and federal government agencies. FEMA is promoting the initiative with public service announcements on television and radio and spreading the word about Project Impact through other media. Making communities disaster resistant is an important and necessary undertaking, and the Project Impact initiative is helping to change the way American citizens deal with natural disasters. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Concurrent Resolution 102 encourages communities across the state to embrace the principles contained in the Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant Communities initiative and encourages local governmental entities to foster and develop initiatives that complement and support comprehensive community-based mitigation as well as responsible land use and flood plain management. The resolution also designates the week of May 20-26, 2001 as Make an Impact Week in Texas and encourage its observance throughout the state.