TexasTexas sets outdoor siren rules for flash flood areas
Covered local governments would install and maintain warning sirens in designated flood areas, with possible state grants to help pay for them.
What it does
Covered municipalities and counties would install, operate, maintain, and test outdoor warning sirens in flood areas the board identifies, unless a suitable siren already exists.
A state grant program would help municipalities, counties, and other government entities cover required siren costs, but grants depend on money being available.
Counties and municipalities would generally need to certify compliance with the siren rules before receiving other board-approved financial assistance.
Argument forSirens in areas with repeated or severe flooding could warn people outdoors to seek shelter or higher ground sooner.
Argument againstLocal governments may face installation, testing, and maintenance costs, while grant support depends on money being available.
More detail
The board would identify covered areas that warrant outdoor warning sirens, and the responsible municipality or county must install, maintain, and operate them. The rules cover areas included in the governor's disaster declaration for the July 2025 Hill Country floods and having consistent or severe flooding. The board may consider deaths, homes or other buildings, property damage, and other relevant factors. A siren is not required where a government entity already operates one that meets the board's best practices and guidance. Government entities may share these duties through a written agreement. Each responsible entity must regularly test the siren and document the results. The bill says these provisions take effect immediately if the required two-thirds vote occurred; otherwise, they take effect on the 91st day after the legislative session ends.
The governor's office would establish and run a grant program to help government entities pay for required outdoor warning sirens. Eligible applicants may include municipalities, counties, and other government entities responsible for installing required sirens. The program would use money available for that purpose. The governor's office must set eligibility, application, award, evaluation, and grant-monitoring rules. The governor may transfer money to a state agency and may delegate program administration. The bill says these provisions take effect immediately if the required two-thirds vote occurred; otherwise, they take effect on the 91st day after the legislative session ends.
The board may not approve most financial assistance for a county or municipality until the entity certifies compliance with the siren rules. The condition applies to county or municipal assistance, including assistance administered through the siren grant program, but excludes assistance for an outdoor warning siren. The county or municipality must certify compliance to the board. The restriction does not apply to financial assistance for an outdoor warning siren. This condition applies only to financial-assistance applications submitted on or after the Act's effective date.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Sep 5Effective immediatelyLatest
- Sep 5Signed by the Governor Greg AbbottBecame Law
- Aug 28Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- Aug 28Signed in the HouseMajor
- Aug 28Signed in the SenateMajor
- Aug 28Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
- Aug 27Reported enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded concur in the House amendment to SB 3. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 27Record vote
- Aug 27Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
- Aug 27Read
- Aug 27House amendment(s) laid before the SenateMinor
- Aug 26House passage as amended reportedMajor
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 26Reason for vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 26Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 26Record vote
- Aug 26PassedPassed House
- Aug 26Read 3rd timeMinor
- Aug 26Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 26Record vote
- Aug 26Passed to 3rd reading as amendedMajor
- Aug 26AmendedMajor
- Aug 26Read 2nd timeMinor
- Aug 26Additional sponsor(s) authorized
- Aug 26Rules suspended
- Aug 26Placed on Major State Calendar
- Aug 25Considered in Calendars
- Aug 24Committee report sent to Calendars
- Aug 24Committee report distributed
- Aug 23Comte report filed with Committee CoordinatorMinor
- Aug 22Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)Minor
- Aug 22Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
- Aug 22Considered in public hearing
- Aug 20Referred to Disaster Preparedness & FloodingMinor
- Aug 20Read first timeMinor
- Aug 20Received from the SenateMinor
- Aug 18Reported engrossed
- Vote recorded final passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 3 be placed on its third reading and final passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 18Reason for vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 18Record vote
- Aug 18PassedPassed Senate
- Aug 18Read 3rd timeMinor
- Aug 18Record vote
- Aug 18Three day rule suspended
- Aug 18Vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 18Passed to engrossment as amendedMajor
- Aug 18Vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 18AmendedMajor
- Aug 18Amendment(s) offeredMinor
- Aug 18Read 2nd timeMinor
- Aug 18Rules suspended-Regular order of business
- Aug 15Committee report printed and distributed
- Aug 15Reported favorably w/o amendmentsMinor
- Aug 15Vote taken in committee
- Aug 15Considered in public hearing
- Aug 15Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
- Aug 15Record vote
- Aug 15Posting rule suspended
- Aug 15Referred to FinanceMinor
- Aug 15Read first timeMinor
- Aug 15FiledMinor
- Aug 15Received by the Secretary of the SenateIntroduced
Emergency ManagementPublic SafetyGovernment & Ethics