Amateur radio operators are often needed to assist in communications in an emergency. There was no mechanism to allow state employees who are amateur radio operators to take paid leave in order to assist in disaster response operations as there is for other needed state employees. In response, Texas Government Code, §661.919 authorizes state employees who are amateur radio operators to, with certain limitations, take leave in order to participate in disaster relief operations with the approval of their supervisor and the governor. A maximum of 350 State employees may be granted a maximum of 10 days of leave with pay per year to participate in disaster response operations, within the State of Texas.