Texas Legislative committees formed to prioritize disaster relief

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced the formation of a Senate select committee following widespread flooding which caused devastating damage in the Hill Country, leaving at least 130 people dead statewide and many still missing.

The committee is set to host its first meeting in Austin on July 23 – just days after the special called session of the Texas Legislature begins.  From there, the committee’s second meeting will take place the following week in Kerrville on July 31, to allow residents to have their voices heard.

The Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding will be chaired by Republican State Sen. Charles Perry of Lubbock.  Perry’s district runs from the southern Texas Panhandle and South Plains into the Hill Country and includes San Angelo, Abilene, Menard and Mason.  Patrick announced Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasonton, as Vice chair.  Other members include:

~Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston

~Sen. Cesar Blanco, D-El Paso

~Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels

~Sen. Adam Hinojosa, R-Corpus Christi

~Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham

~Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio

~Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows has yet to announce his appointees.  Patrick and Burrows are appointing nine members from each chamber to form a bipartisan joint committee.

The committee will examine four issues identified as legislative priorities by Gov. Greg Abbott for the special session, including flood warning systems, implementing flood emergency communications, allocating relief funding for Hill Country recovery, and implementing a statewide natural disaster preparedness plan.