89R1973 LRM-D     By: Morales of Harris H.B. No. 457       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an alert system for notification of the release of toxic   chemicals by a manufacturing facility.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 505.017, Health and   Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 505.017.  NOTICE ISSUED UNDER EMERGENCIES; TOXIC   CHEMICAL EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM.          SECTION 2.  Section 505.017, Health and Safety Code, is   amended by adding Subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) to read as   follows:          (c)  If the responsible state agency determines that a   release will substantially endanger human health or the   environment, the agency shall, not later than 30 minutes after   making the determination, notify persons in the area in which the   facility is located of the release using the alert system   established under Subsection (d). When the agency determines a   release is no longer a threat to human health or the environment,   the agency shall notify persons using the alert system.          (d)  The state emergency response commission shall develop   and maintain a toxic chemical emergency alert system to notify   persons in the area in which the facility is located of a release   that will substantially endanger human health or the environment.   The commission may partner with other state agencies in developing   the alert system and shall allow persons to register for a preferred   method of receiving a message under the alert system. In developing   the alert system, the commission may use as a model the alert   systems established by Subchapter L, Chapter 411, Government Code,   and Section 51.854, Water Code.  The alert system must provide a   person with the option of not receiving the alerts.          (e)  The toxic chemical emergency alert system must:                (1)  provide notification through reverse 9-1-1 calls,   text messages, e-mails, social media, and other instant messaging   systems in both English and Spanish; and                (2)  allow the state agency providing the notification   to modify the notification based on:                      (A)  the distance of the release to the person   receiving the notification; and                      (B)  the projected movement of the release.          (f)  An alert issued by the toxic chemical emergency alert   system must include:                (1)  each area affected by the release, including a   geographic display of the severity of the threat posed by the   release;                (2)  a link to an Internet website or other message   system that maintains current information on each affected area;                (3)  a link to an Internet website or other message   system that describes a symptom of any illness caused by the release   that may require emergency medical treatment;                (4)  the chemicals involved in and toxicity of the   release;                (5)  the projected movement of the release; and                (6)  instructions for protection from exposure to the   release or for reducing exposure to the release.          (g)  The state emergency response commission shall review   and modify the toxic chemical emergency alert system, as   appropriate, every four years.          SECTION 3.  Not later than January 1, 2027, the state   emergency response commission, as defined by Section 505.004,   Health and Safety Code, shall establish the toxic chemical   emergency alert system as required by Section 505.017, Health and   Safety Code, as amended by this Act.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.