Governor Greg Abbott has amended and renewed the drought disaster proclamation for several Texas counties as exceptional drought conditions continue to threaten parts of the state. The original proclamation was issued on July 8, 2022, and has since been extended multiple times due to persistent dry weather.
According to Governor Abbott, “the Texas Division of Emergency Management has confirmed that those same drought conditions persist in certain counties in Texas and that the presence of drought conditions in certain counties contributes to increased wildfire danger.”
The renewed disaster declaration covers a wide range of counties including Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Blanco, Bowie, Brazos, Brewster, Brooks, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Childress, Clay, Collingsworth, Colorado, Comal, Comanche, Delta, DeWitt, Dimmit, Donley, Duval, Fayette, Foard, Franklin, Freestone, Frio, Gillespie and others.
Under Section 418.017 of the Texas Government 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,” stated Abbott.
Additionally: “Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the Texas Government 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.”
Governor Abbott concluded: “In accordance with the statutory requirements copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.”
Greg Abbott has served as Governor since his election in 2014 and leads an office focused on job creation and economic opportunities statewide across Texas. The Office maintains its primary offices in Austin at the State Insurance Building and has received national recognition for leadership achievements including being named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024. More details about his administration’s initiatives can be found on the official website.
The Governor signed and sealed this renewal on February 16th in Austin. Jane Nelson attested as Secretary of State.
