Senate committee advances bill sending about $294 million from rainy-day fund for flood response, warning systems and training facility

A Texas Senate committee reported Senate Bill 3 to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation, advancing roughly $294 million in one-time spending from the Economic Stabilization Fund to support flood response, early-warning systems and a proposed swift-water training facility.

The bill was reported out by the committee by voice vote and roll call with 15 ayes and no nays. Senate Bill 3 would appropriate $200,000,000 to cover a 25% non-federal match for FEMA reimbursement, $50,000,000 for sirens, rain gauges and related equipment in the Central Texas flood region, $24,000,000 for enhanced atmospheric measurement and modeling, and $20,000,000 toward a new swift-water training facility intended to house realistic rescue training in Texas.

Committee work and vote Senator Huffman, chairing the committee, presented the bill to members as a one-time use of the Economic Stabilization Fund targeted at response and recovery from the July storms and said the measure pairs with earlier bills by other senators. The committee’s roll call showed 15 ayes, no nays, and the panel…