Governor Greg Abbott has amended and renewed a disaster proclamation originally issued on July 8, 2022, due to persistent drought conditions in Texas. The proclamation was initially made to address exceptional drought conditions posing an imminent threat of disaster in several counties.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management has confirmed that these drought conditions continue to affect certain areas within the state. In response, Governor Abbott has declared a disaster in multiple counties including Aransas, Atascosa, Bandera, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Blanco, Brewster, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Childress, Clay, Collingsworth, Colorado, Comal, Crane, Culberson, Donley, El Paso, Foard, Franklin, Frio, Gillespie, Goliad, Grayson, Guadalupe, Hall, Hardeman Hays Hidalgo Hudspeth Jeff Davis Jim Wells Karnes Kendall Kerr Kleberg Lampasas Lavaca Live Oak Llano Loving Lubbock Matagorda Maverick Medina Midland Mitchell Montgomery Nueces Pecos Presidio Real Reeves San Patricio Scurry Terrell Travis Uvalde Val Verde Ward Washington Wharton Wichita Willacy Williamson Wilson Winkler and Zapata Counties.
Under Section 418.017 of the Texas Government Code,"I authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster." Additionally,"any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business or any order or rule of a state agency that would in any way prevent hinder or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster shall be suspended upon written approval of the Office of the Governor."
Governor Abbott also stated that "to the extent that the enforcement of any state statute or administrative rule regarding contracting or procurement would impede any state agency’s emergency response that is necessary to protect life or property threatened by this declared disaster I hereby authorize the suspension of such statutes and rules for the duration of this declared disaster."
In compliance with statutory requirements copies of this proclamation will be filed with relevant authorities. The official signing took place on January 22nd 2025 in Austin Texas.
The proclamation was attested by Jane Nelson Secretary of State.
