Governor Abbott Extended The Disaster Declaration In February 2020 For Texas Counties Affected By Hurricane Harvey

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the
State of Texas, issued a disaster proclamation on August 23, 2017,
certifying that Hurricane Harvey posed a threat of imminent disaster for
Aransas, Austin, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, DeWitt,
Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Harris, Jackson,
Jefferson, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kleberg, Lavaca, Liberty, Live Oak,
Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, Waller, Wharton, and
Wilson counties; and

WHEREAS, the disaster proclamation of
August 23, 2017, was subsequently amended on August 26, August 27,
August 28, and September 14 to add the following counties to the
disaster proclamation: Angelina, Atascosa, Bastrop, Bexar, Brazos,
Burleson, Caldwell, Cameron, Comal, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Jasper,
Kerr, Lee, Leon, Madison, Milam, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, Polk,
Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Washington,
and Willacy; and

WHEREAS, on September 20, 2017, and in
each subsequent month effective through today, I issued proclamations
renewing the disaster declaration for all counties listed above; and

WHEREAS, due to the catastrophic damage
caused by Hurricane Harvey, a state of disaster continues to exist in
those same 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 60 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 February, 2020. 

Governor Greg Abbott