Tex.
Transp. Code Section 201.622
Wildfire Emergency Evacuation Route
(a)
Notwithstanding Section 418.018 (Movement of People), Government Code, in a county with a population of less than 75,000 and with a verifiable history of wildfire, the department may designate an emergency evacuation route for use in the event of a wildfire emergency. The department may establish criteria to determine which areas of a county are subject to a potential wildfire emergency.(b)
The department may assist in the improvement of a designated wildfire emergency evacuation route.(c)
Criteria for determining a wildfire emergency evacuation route must provide for evacuation of commercial establishments such as motels, hotels, and other businesses with overnight accommodations.(d)
A wildfire emergency evacuation route designated under Subsection (a) may include federal or state highways or county roads.(1)
“Advisory committee” means the I-27 Advisory Committee established under this section.(2)
“Feasibility study” means the study on the Ports-to-Plains Corridor conducted by the department as required by Chapter 756 (H.B. 1079), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019.(3)
“Ports-to-Plains Corridor” means the highways designated as the Ports-to-Plains Corridor under Section 225.069 (Ports-to-plains Corridor).(b)
The I-27 Advisory Committee is established to:(1)
provide the department with information on concerns and interests along the Ports-to-Plains Corridor; and(2)
advise the department on transportation improvements impacting the Ports-to-Plains Corridor.(c)
The advisory committee is composed of:(1)
10 members, one of whom represents each of the following counties and is the county judge of the county or an elected county official or the administrator of the county road department designated by the county judge of the county:(A)
Dallam County;(B)
Howard County;(C)
Lubbock County;(D)
Midland County;(E)
Moore County;(F)
Potter County;(G)
Sherman County;(H)
Tom Green County;(I)
Val Verde County; and(J)
Webb County;(2)
seven members, one of whom represents each of the following municipalities and is the mayor of the municipality or the city manager or an assistant city manager designated by the mayor of the municipality:(A)
Amarillo;(B)
Big Spring;(C)
Del Rio;(D)
Laredo;(E)
Lubbock;(F)
Midland; and(G)
San Angelo;(3)
three members who are economic development professionals, to be selected based on geographic segments that were established for the feasibility study;(4)
one member who is a business representative from the agriculture industry;(5)
one member who is a business representative from the international trade industry; and(6)
one member who is a business representative from the energy industry.(d)
The members of the advisory committee described by Subsection (c)(2) shall appoint the members of the advisory committee described by Subsections (c)(3), (4), (5), and (6) by majority vote.(e)
An advisory committee member serves until the member:(1)
ceases to hold the underlying position that qualifies the member for service on the committee; or(2)
resigns.(f)
A vacancy on the advisory committee is filled:(1)
for a vacancy for a position qualified under Subsection (c)(1) or (2), by the person holding the elected position vacated by the former member or another person designated by the person holding the elected position vacated by the former member, in accordance with Subsection (c)(1) or (2), as applicable; and(2)
for a vacancy for a position described by Subsection (c)(3), (4), (5), or (6), by majority vote of the advisory committee members described by Subsection (c)(2).(g)
The advisory committee shall elect by majority vote of the committee:(1)
a chair to serve as the committee’s presiding officer; and(2)
a vice-chair to serve as the committee’s presiding officer in the absence of the chair.(h)
The advisory committee shall meet at least twice each state fiscal year and at such other times as requested by the department or the chair. The advisory committee may meet remotely or by teleconference as determined by the chair or the department.(i)
An advisory committee member is not entitled to receive compensation for service on the committee or reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of official duties as a member of the committee.(j)
The commission may adopt rules to govern the operations of the committee that are consistent with existing commission rules and do not conflict with this section.(k)
All advisory committee meetings, whether remote or in person, must be open to the public.(l)
Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees), Government Code, does not apply to the advisory committee.
Source:
Section 201.622 — Wildfire Emergency Evacuation Route, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.201.htm#201.622 (accessed Apr. 29, 2024).
