SEN. KOLKHORST APPOINTED TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & FLOODING COMMITTEE

  

State Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) is one of nine members of a newly-appointed Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick on Monday announced the committee appointments for the special legislative session that begins this upcoming Monday.

The Senate Committee, alongside the members of the House Select Committee that were announced today (Tuesday), will examine items on the governor’s special session agenda in connection to the deadly Central Texas floods.  The committees will meet jointly to discuss flood warning systems and emergency communications, relief funding, and natural disaster preparation and recovery.

Kolkhorst said she is “grateful and honored” to be appointed to the committee and that she “will serve with the somber respect that the gravity of this disaster deserves.”  She added, “This committee will work diligently and thoroughly for all Texans impacted by this disaster.  I look forward to carefully searching for new ways to improve warning systems for any future disasters.”

Patrick said upon the creation of the Senate Committee last week that the focus right now must be on the recovery of those who are still missing and the rebuilding of communities in flooded areas.  He said in the coming year and in the next regular legislative session, lawmakers will “gather all the facts and answer the many questions to which the public demands answers.”

The committee will hold its first hearing in Austin on July 23^rd.  A second hearing will be held on July 31^st in Kerrville to allow local residents an opportunity for input.