Appointments Appointed to the Family and Protective Services Council, for a term to expire February 1, 2025, Julie M. Krawczyk of Garland, Texas (re- Appointments for September 17, 2020 placing Aureka C. Simpson of DeSoto, whose term expired). Appointed to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness Appointed to the Appraisal Management Companies Advisory Com- and Response, for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, mittee, for a term to expire January 31, 2022, Julia A. Hayes of Beau- Ogechika K. "Oge" Alozie, M.D. of El Paso, Texas (replacing Muriel mont, Texas (replacing Angélica M. "Angie" Guerra of Sugar Land, A. Marshall, D.O., Dr.P.H. of McKinney). whose term expired). Appointed to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Appointed to the Appraisal Management Companies Advisory Com- Response, for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Sheila mittee, for a term to expire January 31, 2022, David J. Mentesana of M. Haley, Ph.D. of Lantana, Texas (replacing Janet M. Glowicz of Den- Dallas, Texas (Mr. Mentesana is being reappointed). ton). Greg Abbott, Governor Appointed to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response, for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Ruth TRD-202003945 Ruggero Hughs of Austin, Texas (replacing Rolando Pablos of West Lake Hills). ♦ ♦ ♦ Appointed to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Executive Order GA-30 Response, for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Harri- Relating to the continued response to the COVID-19 disaster as Texas son Keller of Austin, Texas (replacing Raymund A. Paredes, Ph.D. of reopens. Austin). WHEREAS, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a disaster Appointed to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and proclamation on March 13, 2020, certifying under Section 418.014 of Response, for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Tracy the Texas Government Code that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) R. Norris of Austin, Texas (replacing John F. Nichols of San Marcos). poses an imminent threat of disaster for all counties in the State of Appointed to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Texas; and Response, for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Patrick WHEREAS, in each subsequent month effective through today, I have L. O'Daniel of Austin, Texas (replacing Jesse W. "Dale" Wainwright of renewed the disaster declaration for all Texas counties; and Austin). WHEREAS, I have issued executive orders and suspensions of Texas Appointed to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and laws in response to COVID-19, aimed at protecting the health and Response, for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Daniel safety of Texans and ensuring an effective response to this disaster; J. Owens of Bryan, Texas (replacing Brett P. Giroir, M.D. of College and Station). WHEREAS, I issued Executive Order GA-08 on March 19, 2020, man- Appointed to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and dating certain social-distancing restrictions for Texans in accordance Response, for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Nancy with guidelines promulgated by President Donald J. Trump and the D. Tanner of Amarillo, Texas (replacing Edward M. "Ed" Emmett of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and Houston). WHEREAS, I issued Executive Order GA-14 on March 31, 2020, ex- Appointed to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and panding the social distancing restrictions for Texans based on guidance Response, for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Surendra from health experts and the President; and Kumar Varma, M.D. of Lubbock, Texas (pursuant to Health & Safety Code Sec. 81.404). WHEREAS, I subsequently issued Executive Orders GA-16, GA-18, GA-21, GA-23, and GA-26 from April through early June 2020, aim- Appointed to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and ing to achieve the least restrictive means of combatting the threat to Response, for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Bobby public health by continuing certain social-distancing restrictions, while Wilkinson of Wimberley, Texas (replacing Timothy K. "Tim" Irvine of implementing a safe, strategic plan to reopen Texas; and Austin). WHEREAS, as Texas reopens in the midst of COVID-19, increased Appointed to the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and spread is to be expected, and the key to controlling the spread and keep- Response, for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, Ce- ing Texas residents safe is for all Texans to consistently follow good cile Erwin Young of Austin, Texas (replacing Charles R. Smith, Jr. of hygiene and social-distancing practices, especially those set forth in Austin). the minimum standard health protocols from the Texas Department of Appointments for September 21, 2020 State Health Services (DSHS); and

GOVERNOR October 2, 2020 45 TexReg 6821 WHEREAS, in June 2020, Texas experienced substantial increases in e. youth camps, including but not limited to those defined as such under COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, necessitating targeted and tem- Chapter 141 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, and including all porary adjustments to the reopening plan to achieve the least restrictive summer camps and other daytime and overnight camps for youths; means for reducing the growing spread of COVID-19 and the resulting f. recreational sports programs for youths and adults; imminent threat to public health, and to avoid a need for more extreme measures; and g. any public or private schools, and any public or private institutions of higher education, not already covered above; and WHEREAS, I therefore issued Executive Orders GA-28 and GA-29 in late June and early July 2020, respectively, and amended Executive h. drive-in concerts, movies, or similar events, under guidelines that Order GA-28 by proclamation on July 2, 2020; and facilitate appropriate social distancing, that generally require specta- tors to remain in their vehicles, and that minimize in-person contact WHEREAS, due to improved medical treatments for COVID-19 pa- between people who are not in the same household or vehicle. tients, substantial increases in testing, abundant supplies of personal protective equipment, and Texans' adherence to safe practices like so- 2. The following types of business establishments may operate at up cial distancing, hand sanitizing, and use of face coverings, the spread to 75 percent of the total listed occupancy of the establishment, except of COVID-19 and the number of new COVID-19 cases and hospital- for those establishments in areas with high hospitalizations as defined izations have steadily and significantly declined since late July; and below: WHEREAS, as Texas continues to reopen, everyone must act safely, a. in-store, non-CISA retail establishments; and to that end, this executive order and prior executive orders provide b. dine-in restaurants, as defined below in paragraph No. 7; that all persons should follow the health protocols from DSHS, which whenever achieved will mean compliance with the minimum standards c. non-CISA office buildings; for safely reopening, but which should not be used to fault those who d. non-CISA manufacturers; act in good faith but can only substantially comply with the standards in light of scarce resources and other extenuating COVID-19 circum- e. museums and libraries; and stances; and f. gyms and exercise facilities and classes. WHEREAS, in the Texas Disaster Act of 1975, the legislature charged "Areas with high hospitalizations" means any Trauma Service Area that the governor with the responsibility "for meeting ... the dangers to the has had seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hos- state and people presented by disasters" under Section 418.011 of the pitalized patients as a percentage of all hospitalized patients exceeds Texas Government Code, and expressly granted the governor broad 15 percent, until such time as the Trauma Service Area has seven con- authority to fulfill that responsibility; and secutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients WHEREAS, under Section 418.012, the "governor may issue executive as a percentage of all hospitalized patients is 15 percent or less. A orders ... hav[ing] the force and effect of law;" and current list of areas with high hospitalizations will be maintained at www.dshs.texas.gov/ga3031. WHEREAS, failure to comply with any executive order issued during the COVID-19 disaster is an offense punishable under Section 418.173 3. Except as provided below by paragraph No. 6, this 50 percent occu- by a fine not to exceed $1,000, and may be subject to regulatory en- pancy limit does not apply to outdoor areas, events, or establishments, forcement; except that the outdoor areas or outdoor venues identified in paragraph No. 2 of Executive Order GA-28 shall operate at no more than the per- NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, by virtue of centage of normal operating limits as was set forth in Executive Order the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of GA-28. the State of Texas, and in accordance with guidance from the Com- missioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, Dr. John 4. There is no occupancy limit for the following establishments that Hellerstedt, other medical advisors, the White House, and the CDC, do operate with at least six feet of social distancing between work stations: hereby order the following on a statewide basis effective at 12:01 a.m. a. cosmetology salons, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons/shops, and on September 21, 2020: other establishments where licensed cosmetologists or barbers practice Every business establishment in Texas shall operate at no more than their trade; 50 percent of the total listed occupancy of the establishment; provided, b. massage establishments and other facilities where licensed massage however, that: therapists or other persons licensed or otherwise authorized to practice 1. There is no occupancy limit for the following: under Chapter 455 of the Texas Occupations Code practice their trade; and a. any services listed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in its Guid- c. other personal-care and beauty services such as tanning salons, tattoo ance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce, Version 4.0 or studios, piercing studios, hair removal services, and hair loss treatment any subsequent version; and growth services. b. religious services, including those conducted in churches, congre- 5. Amusement parks shall operate at no more than 50 percent of the gations, and houses of worship; normal operating limits as determined by the owner. c. local government operations, including county and municipal 6. For any outdoor gathering in excess of 10 people, other than those governmental operations relating to licensing (including marriage set forth above in paragraph Nos. 1, 2, 3, or 5, the gathering is pro- licenses), permitting, recordation, and document-filing services, as hibited unless the mayor of the city in which the gathering is held, or determined by the local government; the county judge in the case of a gathering in an unincorporated area, approves of the gathering, and such approval can be made subject to d. child-care services; certain conditions or restrictions not inconsistent with this executive order.

45 TexReg 6822 October 2, 2020 Texas Register 7. Only restaurants that have less than 51 percent of their gross receipts der, allows gatherings prohibited by this executive order, or expands from the sale of alcoholic beverages, and whose customers eat or drink the list or scope of services as set forth in this executive order. Pur- only while seated, may offer dine-in services. suant to Section 418.016(a) of the Texas Government Code, I hereby suspend Sections 418.1015(b) and 418.108 of the Texas Government 8. People shall not visit bars or similar establishments that hold a per- Code, Chapter 81, Subchapter E of the Texas Health and Safety Code, mit from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and are and any other relevant statutes, to the extent necessary to ensure that not restaurants as defined above in paragraph No. 7; provided, how- local officials do not impose restrictions in response to the COVID-19 ever, that the use by such bars or similar establishments of drive-thru, disaster that are inconsistent with this executive order, provided that pickup, or delivery options for food and drinks is allowed to the extent local officials may enforce this executive order as well as local restric- authorized by TABC. tions that are consistent with this executive order. 9. People shall not use commercial rafting or tubing services, including All existing state executive orders relating to COVID-19 are amended rental of rafts or tubes and transportation of people for the purpose of to eliminate confinement in jail as an available penalty for violating rafting or tubing. the executive orders. To the extent any order issued by local officials 10. For any business establishment that is subject to a 50 percent "to- in response to the COVID-19 disaster would allow confinement in jail tal listed occupancy" limit or "normal operating limit," and that is in a as an available penalty for violating a COVID-19-related order, that county that has filed with DSHS, and is in compliance with, the requi- order allowing confinement in jail is superseded, and I hereby suspend site attestation form promulgated by DSHS regarding minimal cases of all relevant laws to the extent necessary to ensure that local officials COVID-19, the business establishment may operate at up to 75 percent do not confine people in jail for violating any executive order or local of the total listed occupancy or normal operating limit of the establish- order issued in response to the COVID-19 disaster. ment. This executive order supersedes Executive Order GA-28, but does not 11. For purposes of this executive order, facilities with retractable roofs supersede Executive Orders GA-10, GA-13, GA-17, GA-19, GA-24, are considered indoor facilities, whether the roof is opened or closed. GA-25, GA-27, or GA-29. 12. Staff members are not included in determining operating levels, This executive order shall remain in effect and in full force unless it except for manufacturing services and office workers. is modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded by the governor. This executive order may also be amended by proclamation of the governor. 13. Except as provided in this executive order or in the minimum standard health protocols recommended by DSHS, found at www Given under my hand this the 17th day of September, 2020. .dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus, people shall not be in groups larger than Greg Abbott, Governor 10 and shall maintain six feet of social distancing from those not in their group. TRD-202003841 14. People over the age of 65 are strongly encouraged to stay at home ♦ ♦ ♦ as much as possible; to maintain appropriate distance from any member of the household who has been out of the residence in the previous 14 Executive Order GA-31 days; and, if leaving the home, to implement social distancing and to Relating to hospital capacity during the COVID-19 disaster. practice good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation. WHEREAS, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a disaster 15. In providing or obtaining services, every person (including individ- proclamation on March 13, 2020, certifying under Section 418.014 of uals, businesses, and other legal entities) should use good-faith efforts the Texas Government Code that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and available resources to follow the minimum standard health proto- poses an imminent threat of disaster for all counties in the State of cols recommended by DSHS. Texas; and 16. Nothing in this executive order or the DSHS minimum standards WHEREAS, in each subsequent month effective through today, I have precludes requiring a customer to follow additional hygiene measures renewed the disaster declaration for all Texas counties; and when obtaining services. WHEREAS, I have issued executive orders and suspensions of Texas 17. People may visit nursing homes, state supported living centers, laws in response to COVID-19, aimed at protecting the health and assisted living facilities, or long-term care facilities as determined safety of Texans and ensuring an effective response to this disaster; through guidance from the Texas Health and Human Services Com- and mission (HHSC). Nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, and long-term care facilities should follow WHEREAS, a shortage of hospital capacity would hinder efforts to infection control policies and practices set forth by HHSC, including cope with the minimizing the movement of staff between facilities whenever possi- COVID-19 disaster, and at various times during this disaster, hospital ble; and capacity was being overly diminished by surgeries and procedures that 18. Public schools may operate as provided by, and under the mini- were not medically necessary to correct a serious medical condition or mum standard health protocols found in, guidance issued by the Texas to preserve the life of a patient; and Education Agency (TEA). Private schools and institutions of higher WHEREAS, following previous executive orders that had enacted education are encouraged to establish similar standards. more stringent measures to avoid a shortage of hospital capacity or Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the governor may by personal protective equipment, I issued Executive Order GA-19 on proclamation add to the list of establishments or venues that people April 27, 2020; and shall not visit. WHEREAS, among its provisions, Executive Order GA-19 required This executive order shall supersede any conflicting order issued by lo- all hospitals licensed under Chapter 241 of the Texas Health and Safety cal officials in response to the COVID-19 disaster, but only to the extent Code to reserve at least 15 percent of their hospital capacity for treat- that such a local order restricts services allowed by this executive or- ment of COVID-19 patients, and continued the suspensions of various

GOVERNOR October 2, 2020 45 TexReg 6823 hospital licensing requirements that would stand in the way of imple- Pursuant to Section 418.016(a) of the Texas Government Code, I menting increased occupancy in the event of surge needs for hospital hereby continue the suspension of the following provisions to the capacity due to COVID-19; and extent necessary to implement increased occupancy in the event of surge needs for hospital capacity due to COVID-19: WHEREAS, in light of subsequent, elevated concerns about hospital capacity in certain parts of the state, I also issued Executive Order 25 TAC Sec. 133.162(d)(4)(A)(iii)(I); GA-27 on June 25, 2020, requiring the postponement of certain surg- 25 TAC Sec. 133.163(f)(1)(A)(i)(II)-(III); eries and procedures in Bexar, Dallas, Harris, and Travis counties; and 25 TAC Sec. 133.163(f)(1)(B)(i)(III)-(IV); WHEREAS, by proclamations dated June 30 and July 9, 2020, I added to the list of counties covered by Executive Order GA-27, such that its 25 TAC Sec. 133.163(m)(1)(B)(ii); prohibition has applied in all counties within Trauma Service Areas J, 25 TAC Sec. 133.163(t)(1)(B)(iii)-(iv); K, M, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, and V; and 25 TAC Sec. 133.163(t)(1)(C); WHEREAS, though there are still concerns over hospital capacity in some parts of the state, government officials should look for the least 25 TAC Sec. 133.163(t)(5)(B)-(C); and restrictive means of coping with the COVID-19 disaster; and any other pertinent regulations or statutes, upon written approval of the WHEREAS, in the Texas Disaster Act of 1975, the legislature charged Office of the Governor. the governor with the responsibility "for meeting ... the dangers to the This executive order supersedes Executive Orders GA-19 and GA-27, state and people presented by disasters" under Section 418.011 of the but does not supersede Executive Orders GA-10, GA-13, GA-17, Texas Government Code, and expressly granted the governor broad GA-24, GA-25, GA-29, or GA-30. This executive order shall remain authority to fulfill that responsibility; and in effect and in full force until modified, amended, rescinded, or WHEREAS, under Section 418.012, the "governor may issue executive superseded by the governor. orders ... hav[ing] the force and effect of law;" and Given under my hand this the 17th day of September, 2020. WHEREAS, failure to comply with any executive order issued during Greg Abbott, Governor the COVID-19 disaster is an offense punishable under Section 418.173 by a fine not to exceed $1,000, and may be subject to regulatory en- TRD-202003844 forcement; ♦ ♦ ♦ NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of Proclamation 41-3767 the State of Texas, do hereby order the following on a statewide basis TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME: effective immediately: WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, do Every hospital that is licensed under Chapter 241 of the Texas Health hereby certify that Tropical Storm Beta poses a threat of imminent and Safety Code, and is also located in an area with high hospitaliza- disaster, including widespread and severe property damage, injury, tions as defined below, shall postpone all surgeries and procedures that and loss of life due to widespread flooding, storm surge, and damaging are not medically necessary to diagnose or correct a serious medical winds, in Aransas, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Fort condition of, or to preserve the life of, a patient who without timely Bend, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim performance of the surgery or procedure would be at risk for serious Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Liberty, Live Oak, Matagorda, Nueces, adverse medical consequences or death, as determined by the patient's Orange, Refugio, Sabine, San Augustine, San Patricio, Shelby, Travis, physician; provided, however, that this prohibition shall not apply to Victoria, and Wharton counties; any surgery or procedure that, if performed in accordance with the com- monly accepted standard of clinical practice, would not deplete any NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by hospital capacity needed to cope with the COVID-19 disaster. 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 "Areas with high hospitalizations" means any Trauma Service Area that of such threat. has had seven consecutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hos- pitalized patients as a percentage of all hospitalized patients exceeds Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the code, I authorize the use of all avail- 15 percent, until such time as the Trauma Service Area has seven con- able resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are secutive days in which the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster. as a percentage of all hospitalized patients is 15 percent or less. A Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the code, any regulatory statute pre- current list of areas with high hospitalizations will be maintained at scribing the procedures for conduct of state business or any order or www.dshs.texas.gov/ga3031. rule of a state agency that would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay Furthermore, every hospital that is licensed under Chapter 241 of the necessary action in coping with this disaster shall be suspended upon Texas Health and Safety Code shall reserve at least 10 percent of its written approval of the Office of the Governor. hospital capacity for treatment of COVID-19 patients, accounting for However, to the extent that the enforcement of any state statute or ad- the range of clinical severity of COVID-19 patients, as determined by ministrative rule regarding contracting or procurement would impede the Texas Health and Human Services Commission; provided, how- any state agency's emergency response that is necessary to protect life ever, that any hospital that is part of a hospital system consisting of or property threatened by this declared disaster, I hereby authorize the more than one member hospital may reserve less than 10 percent of suspension of such statutes and rules for the duration of this declared its capacity so long as the cumulative capacity reserved throughout the disaster. hospital system within the same Trauma Service Area is at least 10 per- cent. In accordance with the statutory requirements, copies of this proclama- tion shall be filed with the applicable authorities.

45 TexReg 6824 October 2, 2020 Texas Register IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and Proclamation 41-3769 have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME: City of Austin, Texas, this the 21st day of September, 2020. WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, is- Greg Abbott, Governor sued a disaster proclamation on August 23, 2020, certifying that Hur- TRD-202003871 ricane Marco and thenTropical Storm Laura posed a threat of immi- nent disaster, including widespread and severe property damage, in- ♦ ♦ ♦ jury, and loss of life due to widespread flooding, storm surge, and dam- Proclamation 41-3768 aging winds, in Aransas, Bexar, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Cham- bers, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kenedy, TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME: Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, is- Patricio, Victoria, and Willacy counties; and sued a disaster proclamation on July 25, 2020, certifying that Hurricane WHEREAS, I subsequently amended the aforementioned declaration Hanna posed a threat of imminent disaster, including property damage and declared a state of disaster due to the threat Hurricane Laura posed and loss of life, due to widespread flooding, storm surge, and hurri- to the previously declared counties and these additional counties: An- cane force winds, in Aransas, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Brooks, Calhoun, derson, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Dallas, Ellis, Fort Cameron, Dimmit, Duval, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Harris, Hi- Bend, Franklin, Gregg, Grimes, Harrison, Houston, Leon, Madison, dalgo, Jackson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Marion, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Polk, Red River, Oak, Matagorda, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Vic- Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Tarrant, Ti- toria, Webb, Wharton, Willacy, and Zapata counties; and tus, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Walker, Waller, Wharton, and Wood WHEREAS, on August 24, 2020, I issued a proclamation renewing this counties; and disaster declaration for all counties listed above; and WHEREAS, due to the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Laura, WHEREAS, due to the widespread damage caused by Hurricane a state of disaster continues to exist in those same counties; Hanna, a state of disaster continues to exist in those same counties; NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby renew the Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby renew the disaster proclamation for the 62 counties listed above. disaster proclamation for the 32 counties listed above. Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the code, I authorize the use of all avail- Pursuant to Section 418.017 of the code, I authorize the use of all avail- able resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are able resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster. reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster. Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the code, any regulatory statute pre- Pursuant to Section 418.016 of the code, any regulatory statute pre- scribing the procedures for conduct of state business or any order or scribing 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 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 necessary action in coping with this disaster shall be suspended upon written approval of the Office of the Governor. However, to the ex- written approval of the Office of the Governor. However, to the ex- tent that the enforcement of any state statute or administrative rule re- tent that the enforcement of any state statute or administrative rule re- garding contracting or procurement would impede any state agency's garding contracting or procurement would impede any state agency's emergency response that is necessary to protect life or property threat- emergency response that is necessary to protect life or property threat- ened by this declared disaster, I hereby authorize the suspension of such ened by this declared disaster, I hereby authorize the suspension of such statutes and rules for the duration of this declared disaster. statutes and rules for the duration of this declared disaster. In accordance with the statutory requirements, copies of this proclama- In accordance with the statutory requirements, copies of this proclama- tion shall be filed with the applicable authorities. tion shall be filed with the applicable authorities. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and 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 have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 22nd day of September, 2020. City of Austin, Texas, this the 22nd day of September, 2020. Greg Abbott, Governor Greg Abbott, Governor TRD-202003910 TRD-202003909 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

GOVERNOR October 2, 2020 45 TexReg 6825