July 12, 2019

Thank you for subscribing to my e-newsletter. Below you will find updates from federal, state and local agencies. Should you have any questions about the information below, please do not hesitate to contact us using the contact details listed at the end of this newsletter.

I hope everyone had a happy and restful holiday weekend. As I mentioned in last week's edition, our community hosted a multitude of events to celebrate Independence Day. Area residents were offered several different sets of firework displays; on July 3rd at the Kingwood Country Club; then at Kingwood Town Center, King's Harbor, Valley Ranch Town Center on July 4th and lastly, at The Overlook in Atascocita on July 5th.

Our region braced for a possible storm this week and it was reassuring to see Governor Abbott, Mayor Turner and Judge Hidalgo taking swift actions to prepare. As of this morning, Tropical Storm Barry is expected to make landfall in Louisiana some time early tomorrow. This is a great reminder for everyone to be prepared during hurricane season: be informed, make a plan and build a kit. Visit http://www.txready.org/ for more information.

Should you have questions regarding anything in this newsletter, please feel free to contact us directly using the information provided at the bottom of this email.

Sincerely,

Download my July 2019 calendar by clicking the link below. This month is full of events in and around Texas that could be fun or useful to you and your family! This new format allows you to save the document for printing or sending to your family members.

 

Keep watch for these updated calendars at the beginning of each month. Important local and legislative dates and events will be posted here.

Harris County: Project Recovery Harvey

Recover Lake Houston Emergency Dashboard

If this region is hit unexpectedly by any natural disaster, the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce wants to make sure you know of a resource created for their members and the community. Go to www.RecoverLakeHouston.org at any time to see real-time updates from the entities that protect our region via twitter. This page is also filled with other information and news.

Below, you will see an image of the emergency dashboard, where you can monitor the multi-level jurisdictions.

Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Houston-Galveston Area Council are pleased to invite you to the first public meetings of the Cypress Creek Watershed Partnership .

 

Please save the date for one of the two initial meetings for this project, which will be held:

 

The aim of this project is to develop locally-supported, voluntary strategies to reduce sources of pollution, primarily fecal bacteria, within the waterways of the Cypress Creek watershed. This meeting is open to the public. In addition to providing information about the project, one of the purposes of these first meetings will be to receive nominations for the Steering Committee to provide overall guidance as this effort moves forward. Materials and more information on the project can be found at www.cypresspartnership.com . A project map is attached for your reference, and an agenda and additional materials will follow shortly. 

TEA: "HB 3 in 30" Video Series

DSHS: Get "Texas Ready" for Hurricane Season

The Texas Department of State Health Services is urging everyone to get ahead by being Texas Ready for natural and manmade disasters. The new preparedness effort highlights the importance of three simple steps: be informed, make a plan, build a kit.

With summer and hurricane season beginning to heat up, now is the time to make sure you and your household have what you need to survive on your own for at least three days and know where you’ll go if you need to evacuate. “Texas has more declared disasters than any other state, so we all have to be Texas Ready at all times,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “If you wait until you see a disaster coming, you’ve missed the opportunity to make the best preparations possible, so please don’t delay.” No matter the threat, from hurricanes and tornadoes to fires and manmade disasters, planning and preparation will help ensure that you, your community and Texas can weather whatever strikes the state.

Be informed: Be aware of the possible hazards that could affect your area. Stay in tune with weather watches and warnings. Monitor reputable sources of information. Heed the advice of local and state leaders in an emergency.

Make a plan: Gather the members of your household to create a plan together. Decide what you’ll do if you need to shelter in your home and where you’ll go and how to get there in case of an evacuation. Know how you’ll stay in contact. Don’t forget to plan for pets. Write it all down and practice.

Build a kit: Create a disaster supply kit that will last at least three days with things like food that doesn’t require cooking, one gallon of water per person per day, a battery- or crank-powered radio, backup batteries, a first aid kit, and any necessary medical, baby or pet supplies. Store copies of important documents in a waterproof container you can take with you, including identification, medications and copies of prescriptions, vehicle titles, and insurance and bank information.

Find additional tips, an emergency plan template, disaster kit checklist and other resources at www.txready.org.

Legislative Update:

HB 831 - Relating to the residency requirement to be eligible for public office.

In this weekly section, you will find bills authored by Rep. Huberty that successfully passed both chambers and were sent to Governor Abbott for his approval. Governor Abbott has signed all of the 11 House Bills and both of the Senate Bills Rep. Huberty passed. The last bill highlighted here was HB 766 , a tuition exemption for permanently disabled peace officers and firefighters to learn new skills or trades. This week, you will learn more about HB 831, which clarifies language regarding resident requirements for eligibility to public office.

Candidates for public elective office in Texas must meet a basic set of eligibility requirements. In current statute, this includes: being a U.S. citizen; being at least 18 years old; determined mentally capable; not convicted of a felony; having resided in Texas for at least 12 months and in the district for at least six months; being registered to vote in that district for six months; and any other prescribed requirements per that office. Exemptions for the residency piece do exist for temporary absences.

HB 831 was written to clarify language in this statute regarding these temporary absences, as it has come into question in more than one recent election. The bill simply says that a person claiming a temporary absence must have the legal right to return to the residence and have also made a reasonable effort to do so. The language clearly exempts anyone displaced from a permanent residence by natural disaster. Finally, HB 831 gives the election filing authority for that public office the ability to determine eligibility based on these residency requirements. The bill will go into effect on January 1, 2020, and apply only to elections after that date.

To see a list of Rep. Huberty's legislation from the 86th Session, click here.

Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program

Our office is always ready to assist you. Call or email us and we will do our best to help. Many State Agencies also have hotlines or citizen assistance offices to assist you. That contact information is available at this link, in alphabetical order: 

http://www.lrl.texas.gov/genInfo/stateAgencies.cfm

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