House Bill 153 Summary

• Authorizes sheriffs and police chiefs to compel individuals to leave mandatory evacuation areas and use reasonable force to remove them; the Governor or authorized local officials may also compel evacuation.

• Imposes civil liability on individuals who ignore mandatory evacuation orders and engage in unreasonable conduct that places themselves or others in danger, requiring them to pay rescue costs if a government entity must rescue them.

• Makes it unlawful to tamper with, damage, or remove barricades or warning signs marking flooded or potentially flooded roads, with penalties of $25 to $1,000 fine and/or up to one year in jail.

• Prohibits driving around barricades or ignoring warning signs at flooded roads, making violations misdemeanors punishable by fines of $1 to $200; violators are civilly liable for rescue costs incurred by government entities.

• Grants immunity from civil liability to government officers and employees acting within their authority to issue or enforce evacuation orders; exempts authorized personnel and those following police directions from penalties.