Bill > HB2654

This bill amends the Texas Government Code to clarify the authority of the legislature, governor, and certain political subdivisions during disasters and emergencies. Key provisions include: (1) restricting the governor's ability to suspend certain laws, including those related to elections and the Sunset Act; (2) giving the legislature the sole authority to restrict or impair business operations during a declared disaster, requiring the governor to convene the legislature if this authority should be exercised; (3) allowing the legislature to terminate a declared state of disaster at any time; and (4) preventing local disaster declarations from conflicting with or exceeding the scope of a state-level declaration without the governor's authorization. The bill also amends the definition of "disaster" and the purposes of the state's emergency management chapter. The changes would only take effect if a related constitutional amendment is approved by voters.