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.