AUSTIN, Texas—In a report released Wednesday, state lawmakers laid out plans to better prepare the state for the aftermath of a major hurricane.

“We need to be proactive before the next hurricane strikes, and we can’t wait for the federal government to take care of our citizens after a disaster,” Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Houston) said.

Spurred into action by Hurricane Ike’s aftermath, lawmakers assessed the damage and made plans for the future.

Ike hit Galveston head-on, devastating the University of Texas Medial Branch.

The hospital lost its Level 1 trauma center, and thousands of people lost their jobs.

Damage estimates totaled into the tens of millions of dollars.

“We have so many tourists. Um, you know, events like the biker weekend and biker rally, Mardi Gras, we need a trauma center,” nurse Melita Mundt told 11 News back on November of last year.

The lawmakers’ report said restoring that trauma center is critical.

“If you need to get into a Level 1 trauma center in the Houston area, right now, you have about a 60-percent chance of getting it. And that is not good for many of your outcomes,” Rep. Craig Eiland (D-Texas City) said.

The committee’s report also called for millions of dollars to be added to the state’s Disaster Contingency Fund.

That fund would be used to provide temporary housing or begin debris clean-up after a storm.

The committee also wants to establish two permanent emergency supply facilities and give coastal counties the authority to enact and enforce tougher building codes.

The committee hopes the state legislature will act on the recommendations before the next storm washes ashore.