Governor Abbott Renews Wildfire Disaster Declaration In December 2022
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:
WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on March 18, 2022, as amended and renewed in a number of subsequent proclamations, certifying that the wildfires which began on February 23, 2022, posed an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property in Andrews, Aransas, Archer, Bee, Bell, Blanco, Borden, Bosque, Brewster, Brooks, Brown, Cameron, Coke, Coleman, Comanche, Concho, Cooke, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, Dawson, Dimmit, Duval, Eastland, Ector, Edwards, Erath, Gaines, Garza, Grayson, Hemphill, Hidalgo, Hood, Howard, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kimble, Kleberg, Live Oak, Martin, Mason, Maverick, McCulloch, Medina, Menard, Midland, Nueces, Palo Pinto, Parker, Pecos, Potter, Presidio, Randall, Reagan, Real, Refugio, Roberts, Runnels, Starr, Taylor, Terrell, Tom Green, Upton, Wichita, Willacy, Williamson, Winkler, Wise, Zapata, and Zavala counties; and
WHEREAS, those same conditions continue to exist in these counties;
NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby renew the disaster proclamation for the counties listed above.
Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the 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
Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the code, 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. However, 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 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 13th day of December, 2022.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor
ATTESTED BY:
JOHN B. SCOTT
Secretary of State