Governor Abbott Amends Border Crisis Disaster Declaration
WHEREAS, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on May 31, 2021, certifying under Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code that the surge of individuals unlawfully crossing the Texas-Mexico border posed an ongoing and imminent threat of disaster for Brewster, Brooks, Cameron, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Duval, Edwards, El Paso, Goliad, Gonzales, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Kinney, La Salle, Lavaca, Maverick, McMullen, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Reeves, Starr, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Willacy, Zapata, and Zavala counties, and for all state agencies affected by this disaster; and
WHEREAS, communications with county officials have confirmed that the certified conditions continue to exist in many of these counties, and now also pose an ongoing and imminent threat of disaster in additional counties in Texas;
NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby amend the Proclamation of May 31, 2021, to modify the list of affected counties and therefore declare a state of disaster for Brewster, Brooks, Crockett, Culberson, DeWitt, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Goliad, Gonzales, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Kimble, Kinney, La Salle, Lavaca, Live Oak, Maverick, McMullen, Midland, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, and Zapata counties, and for all state agencies affected by this disaster.
The Proclamation of May 31, 2021, is further amended to direct the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) to work with Texas counties and with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), to provide appropriate guidance, and to request from the Office of the Governor any necessary suspensions of law, in order to ensure that the counties and TDCJ have the flexibility needed to establish adequate alternative detention facilities or otherwise add or expand capacity; to streamline procedures for licensing and transfers; and to address any staffing issues that may arise in expanding capacity.
The Proclamation of May 31, 2021, remains in full force and effect in all respects other than the list of affected counties and the added direction to TCJS and TCOLE relating to TDCJ, as amended herein.
In accordance with the statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of
Austin, Texas, this the 25th day of June, 2021.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor