AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 18 -- a bill passed unanimously in the second-called special session that would remove bureaucratic "red tape" when repairing flood-control structures -- because he said it did not fall under any of the specific categories laid out in the special session call.

The governor placed "flood warning systems," "flood emergency communications," and "natural disaster preparation and recovery" to the second special session call. In his veto proclamation, Abbott said he designated legislation for those measures in "flood-prone areas."

"Senate Bill No. 18 does not concern emergency measures in areas like Kerrville. Instead, it exempts certain entities from the requirement to obtain a TCEQ permit to construct a dam or reservoir, duplicating a b

See Full Page