Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025
Impact
By focusing on the intersection of emergency management and national security, HB3106 seeks to integrate the response strategies of various stakeholders, including federal, state, local, tribal, and private sector entities. The legislation emphasizes the importance of coordinated efforts to mitigate the cascading effects of a terrorist attack on critical infrastructure, enhancing the resilience of communities that might be affected. This integration aims to create a unified protocol that can be employed during emergencies, thereby reducing vulnerabilities in critical sectors such as healthcare, power, and water supply.
Summary
House Bill 3106, titled the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025, mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a collective response exercise focused on managing critical infrastructure during extreme cold weather events. The bill recognizes the potential impact of terrorism on essential services, especially during severe weather conditions, thereby aiming to enhance the nation's preparedness against such dual challenges. The exercise specifically addresses scenarios arising from a terrorist attack amid extreme cold situations, such as those caused by a polar vortex.
Contention
While the goals of the bill are largely viewed positively, some points of contention may arise regarding the allocation of resources and the prioritization of such exercises. Critics might argue that focusing on terrorism preparedness during extreme weather can detract from other pressing public safety needs. There may also be concerns about the operational feasibility of conducting large-scale exercises, especially in terms of funding and coordination among diverse agencies and stakeholders. Addressing these challenges will be crucial for the bill's successful implementation.
To require the Secretary of Defense to enhance the readiness of the Department of Defense to challenges relating to climate change and to improve the energy and resource efficiency of the Department, and for other purposes.
Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing a Texas Homeland Security Division, and to compensate persons affected by those threats.
Office of Homeland Security; transferring the Office of Homeland Security from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management to the Department of Public Safety. Emergency.
Relating to homeland security, including the creation of the Texas Homeland Security Division in the Department of Public Safety, the operations of the Homeland Security Council, the creation of a homeland security fusion center, and the duties of state agencies and local governments in preparing for, reporting, and responding to cybersecurity breaches; providing administrative penalties; creating criminal offenses.
State government; creating the Targeted Violence Prevention Act; authorizing the Department of Homeland Security and Oklahoma Counter Terrorism Intelligence Center to collect, analyze, and disseminate certain information to law enforcement and public safety agencies; codification; emergency.