THE GOVERNOR

Appointments

Appointments for February 22, 2024

Appointed as presiding officer of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority for a term to expire February 1, 2026, Gary N. Halbrooks of Bullard, Texas (Mr. Halbrooks is being reappointed).

Designating Gerald F. Ladner, Sr. of Austin as presiding officer of the Risk Management Board for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor. Mr. Ladner is replacing Lloyd M. Garland, M.D. of Lubbock as presiding officer.

Appointed to the Risk Management Board for a term to expire February 1, 2025, Jeffrey L. "Jeff" Houston of Dripping Springs, Texas (replacing Lloyd M. Garland, M.D. of Lubbock, who resigned).

Appointed as Governor's Designee/Ex-Officio Member to the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Aaron S. Demerson of Austin, Texas (replacing Robert Allen of Austin).

Appointments for February 23, 2024

Pursuant to HB 2060, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, appointed to the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, John F. Bash, III, of Austin, Texas.

Pursuant to HB 2060, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, appointed to the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Mark A. Stone, Ph.D. of Bryan, Texas.

Pursuant to HB 2060, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, appointed to the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Dean W. Teffer, Ph.D. of Austin, Texas.

Pursuant to HB 2060, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, appointed to the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Angela D. Wilkins, Ph.D. of Houston, Texas.

Appointed to the Sulphur River Basin Authority Board of Directors for a term to expire February 1, 2029, Kelly D. Mitchell of Texarkana, Texas (Mr. Mitchell is being reappointed).

Designating Kelly D. Mitchell of Texarkana as presiding officer of the Sulphur River Basin Authority Board of Directors for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor. Mr. Mitchell is replacing James C. "Chris" Spencer of Hughes Springs as presiding officer.

Greg Abbott, Governor

TRD-202400893


Proclamation 41-4098

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, do hereby certify that elevated and critical fire weather conditions which began on February 23, 2024, and wildfires that began on February 26, 2024, pose an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property in Archer, Armstrong, Bailey, Baylor, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Collingsworth, Cottle, Crosby, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Donley, Fannin, Floyd, Foard, Garza, Gray, Gregg, Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hardeman, Harrison, Hartley, Haskell, Hemphill, Hockley, Hutchinson, Kent, King, Knox, Lamb, Lipscomb, Lubbock, Lynn, Moore, Motley, Nacogdoches, Newton, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Stonewall, Swisher, Terry, Throckmorton, Upshur, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, Yoakum, and Young Counties;

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby declare a state of disaster in the previously listed counties based on the existence of such threat.

Pursuant to 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.

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.

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 27th day of February, 2024.

Greg Abbott, Governor

TRD-202400879