Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott has renewed and amended a disaster proclamation initially issued on July 8, 2022, due to ongoing drought conditions in Texas. The Texas Division of Emergency Management has confirmed the persistence of these conditions across various counties.

Governor Abbott's decision affects multiple counties including Aransas, Atascosa, Bandera, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Blanco, Brewster, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Childress, Clay, Collingsworth, Colorado, Comal, Crane, Culberson, Dimmit, Donley, Edwards, El Paso, Foard, Franklin, Frio and many others. The action is based on the authority vested in him by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code.

The proclamation allows for the use of all available state resources and political subdivisions as necessary to manage the disaster under Section 418.017 of the same code. Furthermore, regulatory statutes that could impede response efforts may be suspended with written approval from the Office of the Governor. This includes statutes related to contracting or procurement if they obstruct emergency responses essential for protecting life or property.

Copies of this proclamation will be filed with relevant authorities as required by law. Governor Abbott signed and sealed this declaration in Austin on March 23rd.

The Secretary of State Jane Nelson attested to the proclamation.