Texas House Bill HB187

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

• Filed: 7/23/25

Caption

Relating to the development and implementation of outdoor warning siren activation protocol, including the establishment of an advisory committee.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would result in the establishment of a formal protocol that not only standardizes the use of outdoor warning sirens but also provides a framework for the integration of these systems with other public alert mechanisms. This could potentially lead to better preparedness and faster responses to imminent dangers, benefiting communities statewide. Political subdivisions will be required to adopt the protocol, thereby increasing accountability in emergency measures.

Summary

House Bill 187 aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of outdoor warning systems in Texas by developing a comprehensive outdoor warning siren activation protocol. The bill mandates the Texas Division of Emergency Management to create uniform criteria and guidelines for when these outdoor warning sirens should be activated in response to emergencies like weather warnings or local disasters. This initiative is designed to ensure a consistent response across different political subdivisions, thereby improving public safety measures during crises.

Contention

Some concerns stem from this bill regarding the regulation's oversight. Critics may argue that while standardizing the activation criteria could improve safety during disasters, it could also limit local governments' flexibility to react to specific threats with tailored responses. The inclusion of an advisory committee aims to address regional differences in outdoor warning systems, which could mitigate such concerns but may also lead to variances in implementation across Texas.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

• Chapter 418. Emergency Management
  • Section: New Section