HB 13 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to creating the Texas Interoperability Council and a grant program administered by the council.

HB 13 creates the Texas Interoperability Council to develop a statewide plan ensuring emergency communication systems (like those used by police, fire, and medical responders) can work together effectively during crises. The council will administer grants to help local governments (counties, cities, and special districts) purchase interoperable equipment and build necessary communication infrastructure. Key provisions require the council to create a strategic plan for statewide emergency communication coordination and establish a grant program focused on equipment that connects across different emergency services. The council is composed of seven members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and House speaker, with specific terms and governance rules. This bill directly affects local emergency response capabilities by addressing equipment compatibility gaps.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 7, 2025 Last action Apr 3, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 10 edits · Apr 2, 2025

MAJOR

The bill was updated from its original introduced version to an engrossed version that significantly expanded the Texas Interoperability Council's authority and grant program. The changes include adding new sections for strategic plan requirements, network coordination, and detailed grant usage guidelines, plus establishing specific appointment terms for council members and an effective date of September 1, 2025.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from establishing a basic council and grant program to including detailed requirements for emergency alert systems, outdoor warning sirens, broadband integration, and standardized incident command procedures.

REQUIREMENT

Added Section 421.125(c) requiring the strategic plan to include outdoor warning sirens, emergency alert systems for public evacuation notifications, and broadband service integration.

Added Section 421.127(e)(2) requiring grant recipients to adopt standardized incident command or management procedures.

Modified Section 421.126 title from 'IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN; NETWORK MANAGEMENT' to 'IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN; NETWORK COORDINATION'.

FISCAL

Added Section 421.128 specifying exactly how grant money can be used, including purchase of equipment, construction of infrastructure, adaptation costs, operational/maintenance costs, and training.

TIMELINE

Added Section 421.130 allowing acceptance of gifts, grants, and donations from private and nonprofit sources.

Added Section 421.131 authorizing the Division to adopt rules for administering the subchapter.

Added Section 2 establishing specific appointment deadlines with expiration dates of September 1, 2027, 2029, and 2031 for council members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker.

Added Section 3 setting the effective date of the Act to September 1, 2025.

DEFINITION

Modified Section 421.124(b) to clarify that information held by the council is excepted from public disclosure under Chapter 552.

TECHNICAL

Removed placeholder text and formatting artifacts from the original introduced version.

Floor votes · House Apr 1, 2025

How they voted

127–18

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 147

Apr 1, 2025

D Democratic60

58 Yea 2

96% Yea

R Republican87

69 Yea 18 Nay

79% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 3, 2025

Committee

Referred to Finance

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Introduced

Received from the House

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to engrossment

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Introduced

Point of order sustained (amendment)

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Introduced

Amendment(s) offered

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Amended

Amendment fails of adoption

lower

Mar 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

Mar 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

5 primary · 8 co-sponsors