The city of Plano is throwing support behind a bill that would require the state to repay communities if it asks them to open shelters during disasters.
The bill would require Texas to pick up the tab for costs the federal government does not cover, the Dallas Morning news reported on Sunday. The legislation would only apply when the state orders shelters opened, the newspaper reported.
Rep. Brian McCall, of Plano, is sponsoring the legislation with a senator from Houston.
The federal government pays for 75 percent of certain costs, with local budgets paying for the rest, the Dallas Morning News reported.
While many places set aside some money for disaster recovery, few put aside much for sheltering evacuees, according to the newspaper.
Federal funds for disaster recovery can also be long in arriving, the paper reported. Plano's emergency management director told the Dallas Morning News the city has spent years getting funds from storms in 2005.
